Looking to bounce back after elimination from the East of Scotland cup Kirrie Thistle suffered their third defeat of the season at the hands of title challengers Newburgh. The visitors, from Fife, made the better start testing Knox with a series of crosses in the opening minutes. The first real chance of the match fell to Muckersie after some brilliant work by Duffy, teeing up the lone frontman who looped a weak footed effort just over the bar. Moments later it was Muckersie who turned provider laying into the oncoming Duffy who hit a decent effort goal-ward. The crossbar was left rattling midway through the half when a lengthy Newburgh effort beat Knox but was scrambled to safety by Conway. Kirrie continued to show promise and almost took the lead through skipper George but he was unable to keep his glancing volley below the bar.
All Kirrie's hard work in the first half was undone a minute into the second when Jones smashed in a spectacular volley for Newburgh following a half cleared free kick. And after the game was put on hold for a few minutes curtesy of a dog on the pitch Newburgh doubled their advantage from the spot. Knox fouling Harris, who got up and dispatched the penalty into the bottom right. With the wind in their sails Newburgh pushed for another but Knox thwarted Harris with a fine stop before seeing the follow up hit the post. Thistle brought on Russell and McBride in an attempt to pull a goal back and after some great work by new signing McBride it looked as though they would. However Muckersie could only head wide from close range after McBride crossed, and later inspection revealed the striker had been impeded preventing him from hitting his third of the campaign. Newburgh continued to challenge the home defence and Knox prevented the third with an impressive hand to deny Harris a second. As the game drew to a close Thistle threw the kitchen sink forward hoping to get a goal and almost got a deserved compilation but Duffy narrowly missed the target with a powerful effort. Kirrie have a local tie away against Arbroath Vics up next while Newburgh host Brechin Vics.