TRANENT Juniors remain in the hunt for the Scottish Lowland Football League title after a comfortable 4-1 win over Dalbeattie Star.

Haddington Athletic and Preston Athletic were also toasting victories in the East of Scotland Football League but there were surprise defeats for Musselburgh Athletic and Dunbar United, while Ormiston Primrose secured a battling point to keep their survival hopes alive.

It only took eight minutes for Tranent to get their noses in front against Dalbeattie Star as Nicky Reid opened the scoring.

Cammy Ross doubled the advantage midway through the half to give the home side a comfortable lead at half time.

Just as Tranent looked to be coasting, Dalbeattie pulled one back on 55 minutes through David Cox.

The goal proved a wake up call for Tranent who responded just minutes later when Euan Bauld stabbed home from close range following a corner.

Bauld then got on the scoresheet again on 72 minutes when he headed home from close range to wrap up the game.

Tranent sit fifth in the table as they look to keep the pressure on league leaders Spartans.

Cup action takes priority on Saturday when they face a trip to Gartcairn in the South Challenge Cup.

In the Premier Division, Musselburgh Athletic were beaten 2-0 at home to Hill of Beath Hawthorn.

It was a cagey first half encounter as neither side managed to break the deadlock.

But the visitors came out stronger in the second half, taking the lead on 50 minutes through Calum Adamson.

While Musselburgh pushed for an equaliser right until the final whistle, Hill of Beath would double their lead in added time thanks to a Ross Allum strike to take all three points.

The defeat leaves Musselburgh fourth in the table and they will hope to return to winning ways against Glenrothes in the first round of the League Cup this weekend.

In the same division, Haddington Athletic secured a vital 1-0 win away to Tynecastle.

In a tight first half, neither side tested the opposing goalkeeper on a cold afternoon.

Haddington brought on Dylan Tait in the second half to try and influence the game, and he did almost immediately for the only goal.

Scott Bonar's men sit sixth in the table and face Craigroyston at home on Saturday in the League Cup.

Preston Athletic progressed to the third round of the King Cup with a 3-2 win over Thornton Hibs at home.

It was a thrilling game with Mikey Hamilton putting the hosts in front on 21 minutes before the visitors drew level just before half time.

Thornton Hibs then went in front on 65 minutes before Jamie Devlin bagged a double to send the home side through.

It is more cup action for Preston on Saturday as they host Broxburn in the League Cup.

In the First Division, Dunbar United were on the receiving end of a 4-0 thrashing away to Kirkcaldy and Dysart.

The table-topping Seasiders were not up to their usual standards and were two goals down at the interval thanks to strikes from Daryl Falconer (24 mins) and Tyler McKenzie (36 mins).

The second half proved equally frustrating as Owen Andrew and Stevie Jefferies extended the advantage.

Despite the surprise defeat, Dunbar remain top of the First Division, and still 13 points clear of second placed Newtongrange Star.

They next face Lochore Welfare away from home in the League Cup.

In the Second Division, Ormiston Primrose were held to another draw away to Craigroyston as they look to avoid relegation.

In a hard-fought game, Ormiston took the lead through Matty Underhill from the penalty spot on 74 minutes.

That could have been the winner, but the hosts were level just six minutes later to salvage a point.

Ormiston are 16th in the table and next face a tricky League Cup tie away to Premier Division side Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale.