EAST Kilbride put last weekend’s Scottish Cup heartache behind them to extend their lead at the top of the Lowland League.

Jack Smith snatched an early double as Kilby beat nine-man Whitehill Welfare 4-1 at K Park.

Adam Strachan and Jaoa Victoria were also on target as Connor McGregor and John Hall both saw red for the visitors.

Scott Gormley scored Whitehill’s consolation.

Despite Andy Rodgers converting a hat-trick within the opening 24 minutes at Ochilview, East Stirlingshire were held to a 3-3 draw by Civil Service Strollers.

Shaun Turnbull, David Churchill and Russell McLean earned Alex Cunningham’s side a point.

Keith Murray grabbed a hat-trick as Spartans hammered managerless Selkirk 6-0 at Yarrow Park.

Alan Brown, Scott Maxwell and Dan Ward were also on target for Dougie Samuels’ team.

Samuels said: “I felt we were in control for almost all of the match and on another day we could have had one or two more.”

The defeat for Selkirk, who are in the process of replacing Garry O'Connor, are now bottom of the table.

Dalbeattie Star closed in on second with a 2-0 win over Vale of Leithen. Tommy Muir and Lewis Sloan scored the goals.

Gala Fairydean Rovers bounced back from a 10-1 hammering to pick up the points with a 1-0 win over Edinburgh University at Peffermill. Ross Aitchison’s strike was the difference between the teams.

Gala manager Steven Noble said: “We were needing a response after last week’s humiliation and we got it.”

Matt Becket and Gary Redpath were on target as BSC Glasgow beat Gretna 2-0.

Preston Athletic climbed off the foot of the table with a 2-1 win over Hawick Royal Albert.

Fabio Neto and Neil Shave both hit the net for the home team at the Pennypitt with Josh Morris netting Hawick's consolation.

And Stirling University returned from Cumbernauld Colts with a 3-0 victory.