EARLSTON Rhymers striker Scott Hunter said a pre-match team-talk by manager Craig Bell helped inspire his side to a vital victory.

Rhymers won 1-0 at Gala Hotspur thanks to Hunter’s goal to see them leapfrog their opponents out of the Division B relegation zone.

The win also halted a run of seven straight defeats for Rhymers, who last season pulled off the great escape to remain in Division B.

Hunter said: “The manager reminded us pre-match how big the game was for the club and I think we played accordingly.

“We showed great fight, especially when tiring towards the end of the match, to keep a clean sheet and pick up an overdue win.”

Hawick United suffered their first league defeat of the season as Hawick Legion proved their Division B title credentials.

Top scorer Darrel Johnstone, John Shankie and Callum Hope saw Legion win the Hawick derby and go four points clear at the top.

Coldstream Amateurs and Biggar United also enjoyed Division B wins.

In Division A, Daniel Pattenden scored twice as Chirnside United moved top of the league with a 4-2 win over Berwickshire rivals Greenlaw.

Alan Jess and Keir Blaikie also netted for United, who have lost just once in Division A this season.

They went top after West Barns Star suffered a shock 3-2 home loss to Hawick Waverley.

Aaron Smith, Jordan Yardley and Greg Ford found the net for Waverley, who have now won four games in succession.

And Langholm Legion jumped out of the relegation zone after winning 3-1 at Jed Legion. Lee Irving, Ali Little and Dean Thomson scored for the Muckle Toon while Ashley Langford grabbed Jed’s consolation.

Sean Robertson scored four goals as Duns Amateurs moved top of Division C, but only after second bottom Ancrum gave the Dingers a huge scare.

Ancrum went into a shock 3-1 lead in the first half but Robertson inspired Duns to a 5-3 win.

Elsewhere Lauder and Melrose drew 3-3 at Woodcot.