Tranent focused on promotion bid and closing gap on Penicuik

Tranent’s Road to Hampden terminated at Forthbank, with hosts Stirling Albion running out 4-0 winners on Saturday.

Focus is now firmly on a bid for the East of Scotland Football League Premier Division title – and the potential of promotion to the Lowland League – in what is shaping up to be a three-way battle between league leaders Penicuik Athletic, Tranent and third-placed Linlithgow Rose.

Elliot said: “We have to be relentless in pursuit of victories now.

“We have to chase Penicuik.

“They have yet to have a sticky patch this season and we have got to try to put them under pressure as Linlithgow have been doing.

“Our form has been good without being outstanding.

“We have got to get back to winning ways come Saturday.

“It is going to be a tough match against Crossgates but one we have to do our best to win.”

Tranent (maroon) drew with Penicuik Athletic last month and are needing to close the gap on the league leaders

Former Motherwell and Livingston striker Dylan Mackin opened the scoring for Stirling Albion in the cup clash before Jack Leitch doubled the advantage on the half hour.

Mackin’s penalty and a late Jordan McGregor strike gave Stirling an emphatic-looking victory.

However, stats showed it was the visitors who had more shots and shots on target.

Elliot said: “It was disappointing.

“Obviously, we went there wanting to win the game but ultimately we have been punished for mistakes.

“When we had opportunities, we were not clinical enough, although the scoreline flattered them a bit.

“Goals win games of football and we have to take it on the chin and look at ways to improve as a club.”

The former striker said that the opposition had “that coolness, calmness and clinicalness” in the final third, which ultimately proved decisive.

Tranent have made a habit of knocking out teams from higher divisions since they made their debut in the Scottish Cup last season.

Tranent (maroon) drew with Penicuik Athletic last month and are needing to close the gap on the league leaders

Last year, both Edinburgh University and East Stirlingshire were eliminated before Tranent went down to League One East Fife.

This season, Lowland League Broomhill were also defeated.

Elliot felt progress had been made over the last 12 months but challenged his squad to keep heading in the right direction.

He said: “We have ambitions to look at how we close the gap.

“Last year, we went to East Fife, who are a league above Stirling Albion, and they were definitely above the level we were at at that point in time.

“This year, we have closed the gap but not closed it enough.

“It is difficult going away from home and most of the games where lower league teams have won they have been at home.

“Going away from home, it is tough, especially going to higher leagues, but the cup draws have not been to kind to us.”

Attention now turns to the Premier Division and a bid to reel in Penicuik.

Former Haddington and Tranent boss Stevie McLeish and his team sit four points clear of Tranent, with the added bonus of a game in hand. Meanwhile, Linlithgow can close to within a point of the second-placed Foresters Park outfit if they win their game in hand.

Penicuik face Sauchie on Saturday, while Linlithgow head to Dunbar United and Tranent welcome Crossgates Primrose.

Elliot stressed that the disappointment of the cup exit would be out of their system before the 2.30pm kick-off this weekend.

Tranent (maroon) drew with Penicuik Athletic last month and are needing to close the gap on the league leaders

Speaking on Monday afternoon, he told Courier Sport: “The boys will train well and lift the spirits on Tuesday at training.

“We have got a good group of boys and I would be disappointed if they were not disappointed.

“That’s the mentality you want to have.

“You want to go to these places and not just be happy to accept defeat – it means that they care.

“I fully expect them to dust themselves off and be ready for Tuesday.”