Craigroyston took advantage of Vale Of Leithen's involvement in the Scottish Cup to replace them at the top of the table ahead of next weeks match between the clubs although it took until the second half to break down their visitors.

Sean Martin shot past as they looked for an early goal before Luke Cooper shot over for Hawick when well placed.

Craigie forced a series of corners but were unable to create many clear chances although Lloyd Dignan had a shot saved and Stevie Manson's follow up was cleared off the line, and they almost broke the deadlock when Stuart Martin's header beat keeper Steven Walker but rebounded from the crossbar, and Hawick almost took the lead against the run of play when Gavin Watson's shot beat Craig Weir but hit the post.

Craigie got an early goal after the interval when a training ground move saw Sean Martin head home a James Binnie corner, and the same two players were involved in the second goal with a short corner which saw Andy Dewar head past Walker from Martin's cross, and Binnie himself netted the third goal with an excellent 25 yard shot after his initial pass was returned to him by a defender.

Any hope Hawick had of gaining anything from the match ended when Jamie Nisbet was sent off, and Craigie soon took advantage of their extra man when Stevie Sproule set up sub Kris O'Neil who shot low past Walker, and they added a fifth goal when O'Neil and fellow subs Kyle Hay and David Anderson combined, and it ended with Anderson scoring at the near post, and the scoring ended with O'Neil releasing Sean Martin who crossed to leave Anderson a tap in.