Blackburn United boosted their East of Scotland Premier Division survival hopes with a shock victory 2-1 away to promotion chasing Penicuik Athletic.
The Burnie battled again from a aim down as Liam Allison levelled issues up halfway by way of the second half earlier than prime scorer Callum Heath got here off the bench to safe three very important factors within the closing levels.
The 2 sides had met the earlier week in West Lothian with the Cuikie operating out winners by the identical scoreline.
United’s victory is all of the extra commendable given they have been with out three goalkeepers with Chris Ashely that includes between the sticks as a trialist.
Craig Saunders and Gavin King have been each unavailable whereas on mortgage Jamie Smith was recalled by Hamilton Accies because of their very own goalkeeping disaster.
The trialist’s afternoon began off in a lower than preferrred means when he was proven an early yellow card however United would settle into the competition and threatened to open the scoring thrice within the first half.
Allison noticed his effort overwhelmed away by dwelling keeper Robert Watt with Danny Campbell’s observe up blocked whereas Allison then fired over after waltzing by way of a few defenders.
Richie Hutton would go shut subsequent for the Burnie as his angled drive was saved by Watt.
The second half began with Athletic nearly instantly getting themselves in entrance when the United defence have been caught napping which allowed Kieran Watson to fireside dwelling on the again put up.
That noticed a change of momentum with Cuikie piling on the stress as they looked for a second. Ryan Edwards went shut however may solely blast over the bar from shut vary.
The equaliser arrived on 66 minutes when Hutton broke clear down the correct flank with Campbell flicking the cross onto Allison who looped his header into the far nook.
The sport descended right into a midfield battle with neither facet capable of take management.
However the sport swung in United’s favour 9 minutes from time as Edwards was proven a second yellow for a late problem on Allision - though the hosts nearly received themselves again in entrance instantly as Ashley thwarted Nick Reid in a one-on-one.
Blackburn would seize the winner with three minutes remaining when Heath collected the ball inside his personal half earlier than feeding Allison.
The winger continued his run ahead and took the return move earlier than driving into the field and firing an angled drive throughout Watt and into the far nook. The victory sees United soar to inside one level of security.
Elsewhere, it was targets aplenty because the League Cup group part received underway. Armadale Thistle and Fauldhouse United each defeated greater league opposition 1-0 away from dwelling whereas Livingston United and Pumpherston each battled onerous in dwelling losses.
United went down 3-1 to Premier Division outfit Crossgates whereas Pumphy have been edged out 2-1 in opposition to Heriot-Watt College.
The 2 Group J video games caused 13 targets as Linlithgow Rose let slip a 3-1 lead in opposition to Division One facet Dalkeith Thistle, finally dropping 4-3.
West Calder United rescued a 3-3 draw at dwelling to Luncarty with Gordon Wilson netting a late free-kick to make sure a share of the spoils whereas Whitburn suffered a 3-2 loss at dwelling to Edinburgh United.
Do not miss the newest information from the West Lothian Courier. Signal as much as our free publication right here