MUSSELBURGH’S ninth Superleague fixture saw them hosting Fauldhouse United on Saturday in one of only two top-tier games on the card, with other teams engaged in Scottish Cup business of one sort or another.

Between them, Burgh and their visitors had accrued just 15 points from a possible 48, Fauldhouse only one point ahead of Stevie McLeish’s men in the table. Two changes to the home XI saw Kevin McLeish and Jed Davie in for Jack Wright and Jack Bruce.

The game started with both teams playing things a little cagily, but Musselburgh took a welcome lead with eight minutes played when the unmarked Gary Hamilton rose eight yards out to head the ball home.

The visitors, though, were level 10 minutes later, having seen a fair bit of the ball without troubling John Dodds in the home goal – Dodds’ opposite number launched the ball forward from a free-kick and Stewart did well in a busy penalty area to lob the ball over the keeper as he came off his line.

There wasn’t a lot between the teams but Musselburgh regained their lead on 33 minutes when top scorer Sean Jamieson nodded home at close range after Sean Paliczka crossed. Burgh held their 2-1 lead until the interval, but knew they had more to do in the second half if they wanted to secure an important three points.

Eight minutes into the second half, Musselburgh netted a crucial third goal. A stray pass in the middle of the park benefited Burgh, who were then aided by some slack defending – in the end, Jackie Myles found himself in a great position to score and, though thwarted initially by keeper Murphy, he had a second chance when the loose ball fell his way and this time slammed his shot netwards.

Fauldhouse sub Wilkins hit the post but the visitors looked a beaten team and more slack play contributed towards a fourth Musselburgh goal five minutes from time – possession was again conceded in midfield and sub Sean Conaghan was set free before delivering an inviting cross which Jamieson met with his head to make sure of all three points.

A deserved victory for Burgh, then, who climbed from 15th to ninth in the table on the back of it.

On the face of things they have an opportunity this Saturday to further improve their situation when they visit bottom club Tayport, but their hosts will see a chance to boost their own position and it’s likely a close match will be witnessed.