St Andrews United proved that last weeks thrashing of Linlithgow Rose was no flash in the pan as they defeated league leaders Newtongrange Star 1-0 at Recreation Park on Saturday afternoon.

Manager Gus Malone was forced in to one change, with last weeks hat trick hero Gary Sutherland missing through work commitments, so Craig Wedderburn came back in to the team following suspension and the versatile Jamie Mackie swapped his central defensive role for supporting Barry Sibanda in attack.

Saints started in a similar vein to last week and were in the faces of their opponents from the first whistle. However, Newtongrange had the first real chance on 10 minutes when a poorly cleared cross fell to Jamieson but he hit his strong shot wide.  A free kick from Barry Sibanda was easily saved by Amos after a hand ball in midfield. On 27 minutes Ricky Patrick was unlucky with a dipping effort from distance. Cargill had to be out quickly on 33 minutes to save at the feet of Matti King. It was end to end stuff now, Mackie was thwarted by another good save from Amos after a Lee Sibanda shot had been blocked. The former Raith Rovers keeper who had spent time on loan at Recreation Parkwas at his best again to deny McInnes after a great lay off by Lee Sibanda. As half time approached he was in action again to tip a Barry Sibanda effort wide after good work by Kadela. Right on the half time whistle, United were given a golden chance to take the lead when the referee awarded a penalty for a trip by Kerr on Barry Sibanda. Taking the penalty himself, the big striker saw his effort come back off the post with Amos beaten.

The was no respite in the second half as both sides had great chances to take the lead. A shot from Barry Sibanda, after a quickly taken free kick, was inches over the bar. The visitors thought they were in front on the hour when Jordan Cropley beat the offside trap and lobbed Cargill but his shot drifted just over the bar with the empty goal beckoning. Cargill was called on again on 64 minutes to make a great save from Jamieson but the Saints keeper was more than up to the task. United took a deserved lead on 70 minutes when a McInnes cross was spectacularly volleyed home by Barry Sibanda from eight yards, giving the keeper no chance. The goal initially took the wind out of the visitors and Lee Sibanda could have put the game beyond doubt on 76 minutes but shot wide. United however, held on and recorded a valuable 3 points .

It was the first time in over 12 months that United had recorded competitive back to back victories and the team is becoming more and more confident by minute. The fight for survival is very much on.