Bo’ness United completed the season with a win at home to University of Stirling, both laying a bogey while achieving a more than creditable third place in the Lowland League, (writes John Spowart). 

The BUs had yet to beat the Stirling students at Newtown Park and their third spot is the highest attained in the tier five table. 

Both sides took time to settle but it was Bo’ness who created the first real chance, a Ryan Stevenson cross headed just wide by Scott Dalziel. Just after 20 minutes the BUs did go ahead when Ryan Porteous was fouled in the box and he got up to make no mistake from the spot. 

A Lewis McArthur volley hitting the bar almost doubled the BU lead, but it was not all one way. BU keeper Musa Dibaga had to look smart, beating Ben McIvor Redwood to grab the ball and the same player laid the ball off for Thomas Vonk to get in a shot. 

Before half-time Dalziel had another header that was just off target though two minutes before the whistle Bo’ness got their second goal, Fin Malcolm pouncing on to the ball to drive low from eight yards.

Ten minutes after the turnaround the University pulled a goal back as the referee penalised a hand ball in the box and Ciaran McAninch converted. 

Almost immediately Bo’ness made two changes, JJ Henderson and Kieran Mitchell entering the fray and only a few minutes later the two combined, Henderson passing forward to Mitchell who sidestepped the opposition before angling a great shot past keeper Yan Gromov Godic. 

Stirling worked to get back and Shea Scally shot just wide, and soon after Ben McIver Redwood rose to head in at the far post.

It proved a tense final 20 minutes as Bo’ness wanted the all-important win and finally, after five minutes time added on, the whistle was greeted with a combination of pleasure and satisfaction as the players and supporters celebrated a job well done.

Bo'ness: Dibaga, Stevenson (Hamilton 78), Macaulay, Travis, McArthur (Rutherford 66), Gemmell (Henderson 56), Malcolm (Mitchell 56), Johnston, Dalziel, Grant (Kennedy 78), Porteous. Subs (not used): SG Ruddy.

Goal machine Sandy Cunningham added another four to his personal tally as Athletic secured the win which guaranteed promotion to the First Division.

Cunningham scored the only goal of the first half in the 43rd minute, but Easthouses Lily shocked Athletic by hitting back with two goals in the space of five minutes just after the break.

Their lead was short-lived as Cunningham levelled just three minutes later, and then Callum MacDonald restored Athletic's advantage.

But Cunningham wasn't finished yet and added two more goals in the 65th and 73rd minutes to clinch the three points.

Bo'ness United Under 20s had a tough night when they came up against a strong Stirling University side.

The first half was a tight affair, and with United only conceding one goal in the first half there was everything to play for after the break, but the home side proved too strong as they ran in four further goals.