Sauchie Juniors’ poor run of form continued as they slumped to their third defeat in a row at home to Penicuik.

New boy Gary Shanks put Sauchie ahead just before the hakf-hour mark but the visitors roared back and scored three without reply to ensure they left Beechwood Park with all three points.

The hosts started brightly enough and Conor Kelly was denied on two occasions by Youssef Bejaoui in the Penicuik goal.

The young striker’s partnership with Ryan Millar continues to blossom, and the pair combined to create the chance which led to Sauchie’s opener after 28 minutes. Kelly played a lovely ball to Millar who was tripped as he made a run towards the penalty area, and new boy Shanks curled the ball home with the aid of a deflection to give his side the lead.

Millar should have doubled the home side’s advantage three minutes later as he ran in unmarked to meet Kelly’s cross, but Bejaoui was again on hand to keep his volley out.

The roles were reversed shortly afterwards as Millar did well to beat his man and cross for Kelly, but the Sauchie top scorer uncharacteristically scooped his finish over the crossbar.

There were warning signs for the Juniors when Greig Ross blazed an effort over the bar nine minutes before half time.

And just four minutes later, Penicuik were level. Lewis Barr’s initial shot was blocked but Sauchie failed to clear their lines and the ball eventually fell to Aaron Somerville, who smashed the ball beyond Ross Harkness.

Just before the hour mark, the visitors were handed the chance to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty. The ball was fired across goal and struck the arm of Duffin as the defender fell, and the referee pointed to the spot. Ryan McCallum gave Harkness no chance as he found the top corner to give the visitors the lead.

Just two minutes later it was all over as the two scorers combined. McCallum did well to cut the ball back, and Somerville had the easiest of finishes as he grabbed his second goal of the game.

Sauchie had chances to drag themselves back into the game but Penicuik could also have added to their advantage in the remaining half-hour, and the visitors held on to claim the three points and leave Fraser Duncan’s side just five points off the foot of the Super League table.