Spartans complete Challenge Cup hat-trick

EAST OF SCOTLAND: Spartans retained the SFA South Region Challenge Cup for the third consecutive season with a 3-0 victory over Edinburgh City at Tynecastle yesterday. Omar Kader gave Spartans the lead before Gavin Malin increased the lead from the penalty spot. Kader's second in the second-half sealed the win.

In the league, a double from Lloyd Dignan helped Lothian Thistle pick up all three points and leapfrog their opponents Edinburgh University to move into third place in the Central Taxis Premier Division. Thistle took an early lead when a cross from Mark Kelly found Jamie Butler, who headed the ball behind Liam Valentine.

The second-half was only three minutes old when Craig Stewart's cross was hammered home by Dignan from 16 yards. The university pulled a goal back when a Mark Gair corner was headed in by Jack Beacher. However, on the hour mark, Lothian sealed their win when a Butler cross picked out Dignan, who headed in his second goal.