Pittman's pleased to see players prove him wrong

BROXBURN ATHLETIC boss Steve Pittman admits some of his players have proved him wrong by showing they've got the quality to be title contenders in the East Region's South Division this season.

The West Lothian side blew the race for the championship wide open with a 2-0 win over long-time league leaders Tranent last Saturday.

They now trail Tranent by just four points and have two games in hand over Brian Johnston's men going into the latest batch of matches tonight.

Broxburn are away to Blackburn, while Tranent will be aiming to get back to winning ways when they entertain Edinburgh United at Forrester Park.

"It was a massive result for us last Saturday," admitted Pittman. "It was a must-win game for us as I don't think Tranent would have been caught if they'd won.

"It is in our own hands now and we'll be letting the players know they have nothing but cup finals ahead of them between now and the end of the season.

"It will be up to me and my assistants to get them back on the ground after Saturday and start again against Blackburn." Pittman believes his side is getting stronger as the season goes on and says he's delighted that players he wasn't sure about when he took over the reins are still at the club.

"To be fair to the players, they have turned it around," he added. "We didn't exactly have the best start to the season but they have got stronger.

"When I first came in, there were two or three players who I didn't think were good enough and I thought about getting rid of them.

"However, they've proved me wrong by being major players for us this season and it is a joy to work with them."

Saturday's setback was Tranent's first league defeat since the beginning of November and ended a ten-game winning streak for the East Lothian side.

With points in the bag, they are still in the driving seat in the title race but, with a tricky trip to Spartans ahead of them on Saturday, Johnston will be keen for his side to make the most of home advantage tonight.

In other South Division games tonight – they all have 6.45pm kick-offs – Dalkeith entertain Haddington, Harthill are at home to Stoneyburn, Pumpherston travel to Sauchie and West Calder play host to Livingston United.