A comfortable enough victory over Central League Fifers Crossgates Primrose at New Victoria Park on Saturday gave them a timely boost for their upcoming Premier League clash this weekend against pointless Oakley United.

Worryingly for Star, top striker Grant Meaney hirpled off early in the second half and could be considered a doubt for this weekend's crucial fixture.

Following their disappointing defeat at Premier League toppers Penicuik the week before, the Star were keen to bounce back to winning ways and began with determination setting the visitors on the back foot from the off.

Graeme Armstrong's men, with an abundance of possession and pressure, found the goalscoring touch elusive and, despite pressing with corners in the first half, it took an own goal to set the home side on the victory trail.

The early burst of pressure from the Star was dealt with by the Fife defence with Crossgates keeper Aaron Gillespie active but safe as Damien Gielty's corners failed to find friendly heads or feet.

The early home promise did not produce the expected goal breakthrough, though Primrose were still second best with Star keeper Michael Burgess a virtual spectator.

It was 1-0 to the Star in the 20th minute but via an own goal.

Good spadework by Grant Meaney and Paul Forbes ended with the ball swung in to the danger area where Crossgates' David Buchanan, under some pressure from Star's Scott McCulloch, only succeeded in steering the ball past his own keeper into the net for an own goal.

In 25 minutes a great solo run by home striker Grant Meaney ended with a shot cum cross which just eluded the far post.

The Star continued to misfire in front of goal as Meaney, having outdone the Fife defence including their keeper, hurriedly fired his parting effort over the bar.

A short spell of pressure came from the visitors around the 33rd minute was mopped up by a home defence well marshalled by Tom Britton.

Five minutes before the break a double save by Gillespie denied the Star when a Stuart Roseburgh free kick was brilliantly parried then from the rebound Gielty was denied for another corner — this one fired in by Scott Swaney for a change from the left and headed wide by Britton.

The narrow interval Star lead hardly reflected the play and more gloom for the home side came just three minutes into the second half when Meaney limped off to be substituted by Alan Wilson.

The home side continued to be positive and two goals before the hour mark were more than richly deserved putting the tie beyond the battling Fifers.

It was 2-0 in 52 minutes when good work by Paul Forbes created the opening for McCulloch to head home with a solid finish and just five minutes later it was 3-0 when Gielty got on the score sheet with a clever finish eluding defenders and keeper Gillespie before picking his spot in the Fifers' net to put the Newtongrange name into the second round draw.

Home interest focused on newcomer from St Johnstone Shaun McCallion, who came on as a substitute having featured in Star's 3-3 midweek friendly match against Preston Athletic, replacing Hutchison as goalscorer Gielty only earned himself a 79th minute booking for dissent before a Crossgates corner.

Newtongrange Star: Burgess, Swaney, Buchan, Britton, Woodburn, Gielty, Hutchison, Forbes, McCulloch, Meaney, Roseburgh. Subs: McCallion, Wilson, McNamara, McManus, Hill.

If you'd like your club to feature in the Midlothian Advertiser, send us your reports, pictures or results via this website.