Linlithgow's title hopes are dealt a blow in Bathgate

LINLITHGOW ROSE saw their East Juniors Super League title bid suffer a setback when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Bathgate at Creamery Park. The Rose are a point clear of both Bo'ness and Hill of Beath at the top, but Bo'ness have two games in hand.

Last night's result saw Graeme Love's Bathgate side make amends for a 4-0 trouncing at the hands of the same opponents two weeks ago in the Fife and Lothians Cup.

Rose took the lead after 12 minutes when an Ian Nimmo free-kick was headed home by Tommy Coyne. Ross Hamilton hit the post for Bathgate with a snap-shot but otherwise the first half was uneventful.After the break, Bathgate pushed on and equalised on the hour mark when Chris Jeffrey wriggled his way along the left bye line before cutting in and drilling the ball under Steven Pinkowski's body. Bathgate had chances to hit a second as the game opened up but striker Lee Johnstone missing badly when in a great position. Coyne then had a goal chalked off for offside before Stuart McArthur was sent off in the dying minutes.

The next chapter in the title race is tonight when Bo'ness travel to Scottish Junior Cup finalists Musselburgh. Should Bo'ness win, they will go two points clear with a game in hand. They then face Linlithgow this weekend in a game which could go a long way to deciding the title race.

Elsewhere, in the Premier League Armadale drew 2-2 with Broughty Athletic and Penicuik Athletic beat Whitburn 5-1.