Roberts ends Whitburn bid

WHITBURN crashed out of the East of Scotland Cup at the quarter-final stage last night after losing 1-0 at home to Hill of Beath.

After beating the Fifers 4-0 the last time the teams met on Super League business, the West Lothian side went into the match as favourites.

However, just after the break, ex-Whitburn striker Andy Roberts scored what would prove to be the game's only goal. Whitburn pushed for an equaliser but a resolute Beath defence held firm to claim their place in the semi-finals. In the Fife and Lothians Cup quarter-final, Tranent, who have been out-of-sorts in the league lately, returned to form with an emphatic 5-1 win at home to resurgent Livingston. Mel Graham hit a hat-trick for the East Lothian men, with Steven Tait and Gerry Draper also on target.

In the South Division, West Calder were demolished 5-0 by Sauchie and Dunbar lost 2-1 at home to Spartans. Elsewhere, Fauldhouse kept alive their hopes of Premier League survival with a 3-1 win at home to fellow strugglers Armadale.