Kris and Kieron shine through in Musselburgh win

Former Norwich City striker Kris Renton grabbed the winner in the 61st minute - after being set up by a huge clearance from big brother Kieron, the 'Burgh goalkeeper.

Kieron, who was once on Blackburn's books, also had a hand in Musselburgh's tenth-minute opener, taking the free-kick that led to Matti King slamming home an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box.

Former Stenhousemuir striker Gareth Hutchison equalised just seven minutes later, stabbing the ball home at the near post following a good run and cross from Stuart Roseburgh.

But Renton's second-half strike earned Musselburgh a timely boost after defeats by Forfar West End and Hill of Beath in their opening two games.

"To come here and win is superb," beamed Musselburgh manager David McGlynn. "We were without Dod Fraser and Jamie Mackie, but the boys dug in and they're a credit to the club.

"We knew we were down to the bare bones but some of the football we played in the first-half, when we hemmed them in, was fantastic."

Matchwinner Renton and strike partner King gave the Star defence a torrid time in the opening 45 minutes and McGlynn admits he's going to find it difficult to hang on to the former.

"They're a fantastic partnership - a handful for anyone they come up against," he added. "Kris uses his body well and Matti gets into some great positions. They've got pace as well and the two of them scoring today was the icing on the cake for me."

He added: "Kris has come on leaps and bounds and I think he'll get better and better. He came to me in January saying he wasn't enjoying it and we've got him back doing so.

"There will be full-time clubs looking at him shortly, no question about that."

After a second home defeat of the season, Newtongrange boss Graeme Armstrong admitted he's worried about a lack of spark in his team.

Armstrong reckons it's unfair that veteran striker Gareth Hutchison still carries so much weight on his shoulders and is hoping to re-sign Joe Dunbar as part of a bid to inject fresh life into the team.

"There's something amiss at the club just now. There is no oomph," he said. "To be honest, the team needs an overhaul somehow.

"We need to change it because we can't go on like this. We don't look capable of beating many teams."

On Dunbar, who left Newtongrange for Raith Rovers a couple of years ago, he added: "I'm hoping to persuade Joe to stay with us as you could see the class in his play right away when he came on."

Armstrong, who had Stevie Thompson missing through suspension, was particularly disappointed with his side's defending and said he expected Musselburgh to prove even tougher opponents when the Olivebank outfit get all their players back. "I can't believe how we are defending at the moment," he said.

"The winning goal in this one was just a punt up the park, while for the first goal we were beaten in the air.

"We are lacking confidence at the back and it's very disappointing."

Shortly after Renton had restored Musselburgh's lead as he buried a vicious left-foot shot beyond Chris Hill, the big striker had a chance to seal the win.

On this occasion, however, Hill beat his shot away and, seconds later, Aaron Sommerville found himself clean through at the other end only to take his eye off the ball and let the other Renton clear the danger.

Dunbar almost made an immediate impact after his introduction - Andy Porteous blocked a goalbound shot in the six-yard box - and Newtongrange did a lot of pressing late on.

But the visitors defended stoutly to hold out for their morale-boosting victory.

"We are still relying on Hutch and he can't go on forever.

"Unless Stuart Roseburgh came up with something, we didn't look like creating anything," said Armstrong.

"We started the second half a bit better but Musselburgh were short of a few players today. They've got players to come in and will get better.

"Having said that, I thought that Matti King did great for them and Kris Renton gave our back four a hell of a hard time."

Newtongrange: Hill, Swanney, Forbes, Johnston, Woodburn, McKenna, Cherry (McCulloch 66), Hutchison (Perry 66), Meaney (Dunbar 78), Roseburgh. Subs: Gourlay, Trialist, McNicoll.

Musselburgh: Kieron Renton, Porteous, Gordon, Gray, Shand, Morgan, Gourlay (Ramage 88), Beveridge, Kris Renton, King, Noble. Subs: Draper, Adams.

Newtongrange Star 1

Musselburgh Athletic 2