Craigroyston were made to battle by a stuffy home side before claiming their first win since joining the juniors.

Liam Forbes sent a free header over the bar for Crossgates in the opening minutes before Jack Verth under pressure from a defender headed wide for Craigroyston but he was involved in the opening goal when a quick free kick found him space, and when his low cross found Keith Buckley, and although his shot was blocked the ball fell for Craig Anderson who shot past Robert Wilson in the home goal.

The lead was shortlived however as Crossgates levelled just minutes later when Stuart Donaldson found Mark Higgins inside the Craigroyston box, and his ball across goal was turned in by Forbes at the back post but the visitors were back in front almost immediately when a long ball by Stewart Fisher was headed on by Kyle Boggie, and Buckley beat Wilson to the ball before netting from almost on the goalline.

Dale Mason headed over for Crossgates as they looked to level for a second time then Donaldson was just off target with a shot from the edge of the box as neither defence looked comfortable.

Jason Young was side wide with a long range shot before Wilson saved a Ross Nisbet header then after a quick break by the visitors ended with Boggie heading a Young cross against the outside of the post and behind as the half ended with no more scoring.

Crossgates had a chance right after the break but Forbes twice saw shots blocked by the away defence then the same player took the ball off the head of Ryan Graham who was well placed to meet a corner before a slack pass back gave him another chance but his effort was poor and Paul Tansey in the away goal saved easily.

Both sides made changes around the hour mark as play became mainly a midfield battle although a mix up in the Craigroyston defence let in Higgins but he shot straight at the keeper, and he was made to pay for this miss when Craigroyston broke, and when Young sent the ball across goal Buckley was on hand to sidefoot in his second.

This seemed to knock the stuffing from the home side although they kept battling away without seriously threatening a comeback with any shots being off target or easy for Tansey as Craigroyston went home with three points.

Crossgates:- Wilson, W Campbell, Parker Brown Higgins Kirton (Christie) Mason (Day), A Campbell, Graham (Hope) Donaldson Forbes Sub Foster

Craigroyston:- Tansey Rodgers Aitken (Inglis) Fleming Fisher Nisbet Verth Young Buckley Anderson (Taylor) Boggie (Pennycuick) Subs Rooney Beveridge

Reporter: Keith Richardson