New Thistle manager Lamb kicks off against Preston

Mark LAMB, the former Coldstream, Spartans Juniors and Peebles Rovers boss, has been appointed as manager of Lothian Thistle taking over from Fraser Ogilvie and Chic McAleavy who both resigned last week.

Lamb said: "I'm really looking forward to the challenge of rebuilding a Lothian side which has lost a few players in the past seven days because of different circumstances. We start tonight against Preston Athletic at the Pennypit in an East of Scotland League Cup quarter-final tie and I will be trying to bring in some trialists to complement the very good group of players I have inherited."

Preston Athletic boss, Stevie Myatt, has a selection situation to resolve with Craig Scott, Gary Kennedy and Matt Costello, who were unavailable at the weekend, now back and looking for a place in the starting line-up. The game kicks-off at 7.30pm.

Elsewhere, also in the League Cup, Spartans, the holders, entertain Heriot-Watt University. The students are at full strength while Spartans are missing Alex King, Omar Kader and David Etale for the 7.30pm kick-off.

Tynecastle, with a host of injury problems for manager Murray Balloch to contend with, are also in League Cup action, hosting Civil Service Strollers at Fenieside, kick-off 6.45pm.

In the Central Taxis First Division, Leith Athletic can leap-frog Gretna 2008 and take over the leadership of the table with only one game left for each club. They face Gala Fairydean at Netherdale, kick-off 7.00pm.