Hawick Royal Albert 4

Eyemouth United 2

David Knox at Netherdale

HAWICK boss Dean Shanks believes he is building a team capable of competing in the Lowland League.

The Albert Park manager unveiled former Vale of Leithen striker Kris Mitchell and Jon McInally, who spent two seasons at Selkirk, as his latest signings ahead of Saturday’s match with Eyemouth.

And following a hard-fought victory over the basement side, Shanks admitted he has Lowland League ambitions for his improving team. He said: “We would love to be playing in the Lowland League and the players we are bringing here have the quality to play at that level.

“Everyone at the club would like to have a crack at being in the Lowland League – it’s the obvious next step for the club.”

After running the East of Scotland’s top two teams, Leith Athletic and Lothian Thistle, close in recent weeks Hawick were expected to make easy work of pointless Eyemouth.

But they were given a rude awakening in an end-to-end first half that the Fishermen shaded.

Gavin Burrell and Patrick Tilbrook had both gone close for Max Scott’s team in the opening 10 minutes.

The Albert did go in front from a Josh Morris penalty on 18 minutes after Lewis Mitchell was judged to have clipped Ryan Stevenson inside the area.

But back came Eyemouth with Gavin Burrell winning his side their own penalty just before the half hour after drawing a challenge from Stevenson. Mitchell beat Kyle Rankin from the spot.

Kris Mitchell almost nudged the Royalists back in front but his shot deflected against the inside of the post.

Moments later Eyemouth went in front as Tom Wyman connected brilliantly to head Burrell’s deep freekick into the net.

Improvement was required from Hawick and it came after the interval.

Lovely one-touch build up play between Craig Robertson and Stevenson allowed Mitchell the simplest of equalisers.

And just before the hour Morris headed home a Stevenson cross for the Albert to retake the lead.

Eyemouth continued to battle but they were unable to create any clear cut chances.

With just four minutes remaining Mitchell made sure of the points for Hawick with a neat lob from the edge of the area.

Manager Shanks added: “We were of the pace in the first half and we had to change things at half time.

“We came back well in the second half but I admit we could have been a lot better.”

Hawick Royal Albert. K Rankin, C Robertson, S Crozier, R Boyd, F Lockhart (D Linton 46), M Lynch (C McFarlane 66), R Stevenson, D Johnson, J Morris, K Mitchell & J McInally (S Spence 75).