PRESTON Athletic and Ormiston Primrose were victorious this weekend while Tranent Juniors progressed comfortably in the Lowland League Cup.

Dunbar United’s hopes of lifting the First Division title took a hit with a draw.

Meanwhile, there were defeats for Musselburgh Athletic and Haddington Athletic in the Premier Division.

Tranent Juniors ran out 5-1 winners away to Civil Service Strollers in the Lowland League Cup.

The hosts had the lead from the penalty spot miudway through the first half, but Tranent wer quickly level through Nicky Reid on 41 minutes.

Reid struck again four minutes into the second half to put Tranent ahead before Cameron Ross made it 3-1 on 56 minutes.

Rhys Healy made it 4-1 on 71 minutes before Adam McGowan added a fifth with seven minutes to go.

The win will see Tranent face East Kilbride at home in the next quarter fiunals of the tournament on Saturday. 

In the East of Scotland Football League top flight, Haddington Athletic suffered a narrow home defeat to Linlithgow Rose who claimed the league title in the process.

Alan Sneddon put the visitors ahead on 12 minutes before they doubled the lead on 48 minutes through Connor McMullan.

Hope was restored for Haddington when talisman Gabri Auriemma pulled one back 10 minutes later.

And Haddington were given a further boost when Linlithgow were reduced to 10 men in the closing minutes.

But unfortunately, an equaliser could not be found, and Linlithgow Rose were crowned Premier Division champions.

Haddington are seventh in the table and next face Broxburn away from home on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Musselburgh Athletic were on the receiving end of a 3-1 defeat away to Sauchie.

Sauchie were given a boost when Musselburgh’s Jackie Myles gave away a penalty on the stroke of half time and was subsequently sent off for a second booking.

Sauchie converted the spot kick and made the man advantage count adding a second on 60 minutes and a third six minutes later.

Musselburgh pulled one back with 10 to go thanks to Bob Wilson and they next face Dundonald Bluebell away on Saturday.

In the First Division, Dunbar United’s shaky form continued as they were held to a 1-1 draw away to Lochore Welfare.

The county side’s chances of lifting the league title continue to grow slimmer as they fell 1-0 behind within nine minutes.

Johnny Edmond equalised just two minutes later and despite a strong push from Dunbar, no winner could be found.

Dunbar remain top of the First Division though Glenrothes are only two points behind with two games in hand.

On Saturday, the two top sides meet in Dunbar in what could be a vital game in deciding the title.

Preston Athletic came from behind to run out 3-1 winners over Burntisland Shipyard at home.

Burntisland had the lead on 31 minutes, but Preston were level just six minutes later thanks to a trialist, who was later unveiled as Brandon Archibald.

They then had the lead less than 10 minutes later when Mikey Hamilton struck from close range.

Burntisland’s goalkeeper was given his marching orders at half time due to an altercation on the pitch and Preston made the man advantage count adding a third in the second half through an unfortunate own goal.

Preston sit eighth in the table and next face a trip to Coldstream tomorrow (Tuesday).

In the Second Division, Ormiston Primrose kept their hopes of league survival alive with a huge 3-0 win away to Hawick.

The county side were 2-0 up at half time thanks to goals from Ben Tracey and Sean Ballard.

Ballard then doubled his tally in the second half to put the county side 3-0 up and secure a vital three points.

Ormiston visit Thornton Hibs on Wednesday where they will hope to further their bid to avoid the drop.