Blackburn United beat Sauchie 1-0 in an impressive display of the squads defensive skill

A good crowd took advantage of Blackburn United opening the gates for free to watch as United recorded a 1-0 win over Sauchie to put themselves a point behind 14th placed Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale in the East of Scotland Premier Division.

Laurie Devine’s first half header proved to be the difference between the two sides at the Purdie Worldwide Community Stadium.

From the offset, both teams set a frantic pace in the late March heat, but the early exchanges were devoid of clear-cut chances. On 16 minutes, Sauchie’s Chic Clark would be the first of the goalkeepers to be called into action.

Jack Garrard found himself free in the Sauchie box and was able to get his shot away.

Clark, however, reacted magnificently to deny the Blackburn man. In any case, Garrard would see himself flagged for offside in the build-up.

Both teams continued to take turns to put pressure on each other without really bothering either keeper.

In the opening half hour, both Callum Heath and Sam Davidson would each try their luck from distance for Blackburn and Sauchie respectively. But neither effort looked likely to open the scoring.

However, with nine minutes of the first half remaining, Blackburn would find their opening.

Right back James Mildren had spent much of the first half producing his typical combative display and it was his determination to keep, what seemed like, a long lost cause in play that led to the goal.

His cross from the byline found the head of Devine who was able to guide it high into the net.

This seemed to give United the impetus to kick on and as the early the second half unfolded, they would push for a second. But not before Sauchie would have a penalty claim turned down.

Six minutes into the second half, the Sauchie