THE fate of five clubs in the East of Scotland Football League (EoSFL) Premier Division will be decided over 90 minutes this Saturday – and only a win is likely to guarantee Dunbar United’s safety.

Three points separate Blackburn United, Hill of Beath Hawthorn, Tynecastle, Dunbar United and Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale, with at least one of them and possibly two going down to the EoSFL First Division.

Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale sit in the fourth relegation space but face already-relegated Newtongrange Star, while Dunbar travel to Tynecastle in a game in which they know three points would be enough to keep them up.

Kevin Haynes, Dunbar manager, acknowledged that it would be a nervy affair in the Capital but stressed that their destiny was in their own hands.

East Lothian Courier: Dunbar United (black and white) secured a valuable point in their battle against relegation against Crossgates PrimroseDunbar United (black and white) secured a valuable point in their battle against relegation against Crossgates Primrose

He said: “It’s a cup final.

“Anybody that has played in a cup final knows there is an element of nerves.

“It is a one-off game and that is the stage that we are at.

“It is my job to try to relax the players as much as I can and make sure they focus on the task.

“No doubt, there will be nerves.

“It means so much to the club and hopefully means a lot to the players to remain in the league.

“It means a massive amount to myself.

“I don’t want the first season to be the one where the club gets relegated.

“It means a lot to so many people – there will be nerves.

“It is probably the biggest and the most meaningful game for me as a manager.

“I have never been in a situation as a manager to be winning a league or fending off a relegation battle.

“I have been involved in cup finals with Bo’ness but a cup is a competition of seven or eight games potentially.

“This is 30-plus games and this has a lot more riding on it.

“It is a longer process and to slip up at the last hurdle would be devastating.”

East Lothian Courier: Dunbar United (black and white) secured a valuable point in their battle against relegation against Crossgates PrimroseDunbar United (black and white) secured a valuable point in their battle against relegation against Crossgates Primrose

Haynes stepped into the manager’s hotseat following the departure of Geoff Jones before the start of the season.

The Seasiders enjoyed a memorable debut Scottish Cup campaign and will be keen to ensure that the season is not tarnished with relegation.

The manager has repeatedly said that he expected 40 points to be enough to keep the club up; however, even that might not be enough.

Steven Thomson’s late strike against Crossgates Primrose on Saturday gave them a deserved point, which took them to 39 points and could be crucial in the run-in.

However, even then, the club was faced with challenges as they had to find a trialist goalkeeper on the day of the game.

East Lothian Courier: Dunbar United (black and white) secured a valuable point in their battle against relegation against Crossgates PrimroseDunbar United (black and white) secured a valuable point in their battle against relegation against Crossgates Primrose

Haynes said: “We have missed a wee rub of the green.

“It has been difficult and there have been challenges.

“Somebody is going to get relegated on over 40 points potentially, which is unheard of.

“If we win, we could be within 10 points of fifth place.

“It just shows you the level of consistency and competitiveness in the league this year.”