Preston Athletic 1 Heriot Watt University 1

Ormiston 0 Stirling University 0

PRESTON Athletic extended their unbeaten run to four matches with a draw at home to Heriot-Watt University on Saturday.

The hosts, whose last league defeat was at the hands of leaders Kelty Hearts in November, made a good start, reward for their efforts coming on 15 minutes when the referee awarded them a spot kick after Aidan Quinn handled inside the box, but Greg Binnie hit the post from 12 yards.

Just two minutes later, Binnie’s miss proved costly as the visitors took the lead, Jamie Spence putting Anton Dowd through to score.

Preston had chances to equalise before the break, Jonny Grotlin and Greg Binnie with the clearest-cut of their opportunities, but neither were able to level the scores and the visitors led at the break.

After the break, Preston dominated and Steven Campbell hit the post with a header on 58 minutes, then went close with an acrobatic effort. Jack Lynch and Paul Riley’s side made their superiority count shortly after when Kieran Jack’s cross found Gavin Stevenson, who fired Preston level.

They pushed on to find a winner but one was not forthcoming as the visitors held on for a point.

Meanwhile, fellow East of Scotland side Ormiston bounced back from defeat to Kelty with a goalless draw at home to Stirling University.

Last week’s defeat to the leaders ended an unbeaten run that extended to last November, and Ormi put in a spirited performance to earn a point against the university side.

While Ormiston are 11th in the table, Preston remain third, three points shy of second-place Leith.

Preston welcome Stirling University tomorrow (Saturday), while Ormiston travel to play Tynecastle.