Dunipace earn promotion to Lowland League East after top three finish in East of Scotland top flight.

Dunipace will play in next season’s new Lowland League East after earning promotion following a top three finish in the East of Scotland Premier Division.

The DCL Westfield Park side secured third spot in the East of Scotland’s top division after a strong finish to the season - getting the better of local rivals Camelon Juniors to pip them to the top three. And Danny Smith’s team knew that finishing third could earn a ticket to the fifth tier with an extra place potentially up for grabs. Hill of Beath Hawthorn and Musselburgh Athletic had already won promotion to the Lowland League East - alongside Midlands League outfit Lochee United - but another place was available to the East of Scotland system if Edinburgh City managed to secure their SPFL status. That happened on Saturday when the Citizens got the better of Highland League winners Brora Rangers over two legs.

The ‘Pace can now look forward to playing in a new-look Lowland League next term but they still have this season to finish with the RJM Sports League Cup semi finals coming up on Friday night. Smith’s team travel to Leith Athletic and will be hoping to end their time in the East of Scotland system with a cup success.

Dunipace earn Lowland League East promotion

In the Lowland League East, they’ll join the likes of local sides East Stirlingshire, Bo’ness United and Linlithgow Rose in the 16-team division. Relegation from that league will depend on a number of scenarios but if the East of Scotland Premier Division and Midlands League Premier Division had two licensed champions then at least 15th and 16th place would need to be avoided next to stay up. An East-based relegated club from the SPFL can also affect things.

Up the top end, promotion to the SPFL can still be earned via a three-way battle, again depending a number of scenarios. If the Lowland League East, Lowland League West and Highland League winners were all eligible to play in the pyramid play-off then each club would play the other two with the team topping that mini-league table then going on to face Club 42 from Scottish League Two over two legs.

Lowland League clubs will still play in a league cup competition, with the format for that to be decided over the summer. The South Challenge Cup will also still exist next term, with some Lowland League sides also set to play in SPFL cup competitions via an invite system.