Musselburgh secured a heroic victory in tough conditions against Glasgow Hawks on Saturday to ensure survival in the Tennent's Premiership.

The county side went into their last fixture in search of a third league win in a row, but faced a stern challenge from a Hawks side that demolished them 56-0 in October.

Fellow relegation candidates GHA travelled to Mansfield Park to play league leaders Hawick.

Hawks started well with a converted try through Flett before Musselburgh responded with Cunningham taking the plaudits.

But a Hawks penalty maintained the home side's slender lead at the break.

Cunningham would give Musselburgh the lead early in the half through another converted score.

Burgh's defensive might was tested for the rest of the match, with Owenson adding two key penalties as they kept the Glasgow side at bay.

The amazing turnaround was complete, and with GHA's narrow defeat to Hawick they had achieved "one of the great escape tricks in this league’s history."

Following 12 fixtures Musselburgh sat on 10 points, comfortably adrift at the bottom of the table, but they collected 20 points in their final 6 matches, including 3 bonus points to ensure survival.

Derek O'Riordan, Musselburgh head coach, said: "I think that’s the best defensive display we’ve put on all year, and one of the best I’ve seen in over 10 years of coaching senior rugby.

“We knew we had to turn around a 56-point deficit from last time we played Hawks, and we know they have an embarrassment of riches in terms of selection.

“They’ve got quality operators across the field from one to 15, and we’re a community club, our player base is from guys who have been at the club since they were children.

"To put in a display like that when we don’t have the opportunity to cherry-pick talent in the same way that Hawks do was a pretty phenomenal achievement."