However, they couldn't overcome Ferguslie one day later and lost their Scottish Cup first round away tie.

Graham Gardner won the toss in the first encounter and elected to bat but, with various rain interruptions, the match was reduced to 42 overs a side.

Tom Ferrier and Gardner gave 'Muir a good start, putting on 56 for the first wicket. The latter was bowled by Reddy for 20 and, for once, Craig Thyssen was then out cheaply – caught by Gowtham Rai off Yasser Arfat for just four.

Ferrier was duly run out for 59 but Valmiki Maharaj scored 37 and Iain McDonald continued his recent good form with 27 not out as 'Muir posted 202 for eight.

Dunfermline opened with two former Stenhousemuir players, Gowtham Rai and Sanjay Rakshit, but Maharaj struck a couple of vital blows in his first over.

He removed Rai and the Fife professional, A. Gray, both caught by Thyssen at slip without scoring.

Peter Hamilton then accounted for Rakshit, caught by Amir Shahzad for 20, and Bobby Angus had Bunting caught by Hamilton for 19.

What followed was a superb piece of bowling by Iain Mcdonald. He simply ran through the lower order, four of whom failed to score – making it SIX ducks in the innings.

One was also run out and the leaders were dismissed for 125, signalling their first league defeat of the season.

It moved 'Muir into third place in the table behind Dunfermline and Stirling County, whom they face at New Williamfield on Saturday.

Things did not go so well at Meikleriggs on Sunday, though. 'Muir did make a decent total of 233 for seven – Gardner scored 59, Thyssen 45, Shahzad 33, Maharaj 32, Stuart Whyte 29 not out and Hamilton 13 not out.

However, despite taking two early wickets, 'Muir could not take the vital one of Fergulie professional Prab Mullick and he went on to make 100 not out as Ferguslie won by five wickets. Maharaj, Angus, McDonald, Whyte and Ferrier each took a wicket.

The 2nd XI, meanwhile, lost away to 2nd Falkland. They reached 168 for seven with Stuart Duncan making 59, David Halcrow 51 and Waqas Haleem 25 not out.

Yet Falkland surpassed the total after losing just four wickets. Aaron Williamson took two, and Chris Dyer and Ross Jones one each.

On Saturday the 1st XI are away to Stirling County and the 2nd XI are
at home to Musselburgh. Then, on Sunday, the Forth Cricket Union side are at home to Dunnikier.

Details:
Stenhousemuir 202 for 8 (T. S. Ferrier 59; V. Maharaj 37) 10 points
Dunfermline 125 (I. McDonald 5 for 24; V. Maharaj 2 for 17) 0 points

Stenhousemuir 233 for 7 (G. E. Gardner 59; C.Thyssen 45 )
Ferguslie 234 for 5

2nd Stenhousemuir 168 for 7 (S. E. Duncan 59; J. D. Halcrow 51) 6 points
2nd Falkland 169 for 4 (A. Williamson 2 for 35) 20 points