The Reds travelled to The Riverside in impressive form, but found themselves up against an impressive Jed-Forest side who were ultimately more clinical when chances arose.

In appalling weather conditions, the Borders side took control of the match early on and the dogged Reds were unable to break their hosts down.

Chris Laidlaw kicked the Borderers ahead with an early penalty before Mark Burke scored out wide to give the hosts an early cushion. (10-0)

It was far from the ideal start for the Reds, who were battling both an impressive Jed side and the conditions in the first-half.

Nick Bell kicked a penalty shortly after to reduce the arrears, but the hosts restored their advantage just before the break when Donald Greive crashed over.

Laidlaw's second conversion meant the hosts turned around 17-3 ahead at the interval.

Bell kicked another penalty to further reduce the deficit shortly after the resumption, giving the visitors hope of a rare win at The Riverside.

That penalty was cancelled out by Laidlaw, who was also instrumental in his side's final try - setting centre Robert Hogg away to score with just over 10 minutes to play.

Hogg's try all-but sealed victory for the Borderers, and although the travelling Reds pressed late on, it was not to be and they returned to East Lothian empty handed.

After the match, head coach Bryan Craig said: "It was a really gutsy performance and we've shown we can compete with the best teams in the league.

"We dominated possession and territory in the second half but their resolute defence kept us out.

"We've just got to be more clinical when we get ourselves into attacking positions."