AN "abysmal" performance from Whitcraigs saw them suffer their first defeat of the season, to the disgust of the coach.
A well-drilled and organised Linlithgow side travelled to West Lodge on Saturday and unsettled the league leaders with their abrasive and powerful approach from the off.
Despite outscoring the visitors by two tries to one it was not enough to keep Craigs unbeaten league campaign going.
Throughout the first 20 minutes Linlithgow pounded at the Whitecraigs line, but as has been a feature of the season - with the best defensive record in the league - the home defence held firm.
But with so much pressure Whitecraigs finally gave away a penalty which the travelling stand off dispatched with ease to open the scoring.
Whitecraigs reacted well to going behind and took the game to their opponents with strong rampaging runs from the forwards setting up good field position, which eventually brought a penalty.
Graeme Fisher stepped up confidently to try to draw the sides the level but skewed his effort wide to the dismay of the home support.
After surviving the mini-revival from Craigs, Linlithgow stretched their advantage with another penalty and took a 0-6 lead into the break.
With stern words from Whitecraigs head coach Jim Henderson ringing in the players ears, as they returned to the pitch after half time it was with renewed enthusiasm.
Unfortunately though after just five minutes of the half Craigs surrendered easy turnover ball deep in their own half and Linlithgow moved the ball wide quickly to score in the corner and extend their lead to 13 points.
Trailing by such a margin Whitecraigs now faced not even gaining a losing bonus point and they went on the attack in a bid to salvage the match.
After 50 minutes good spoiling work in the scrum gave Whitecraigs turnover ball and Ben Blamire, who had come on as a sub, barged over for a score.
Craigs pushed hard for another try to the bitter end and despite Garry Johnston sneaking over in the corner to reduce the deficit to 10-13, and ensure a bonus point, time ran out and the Linlithgow boys celebrated a well deserved victory.
Fuming Jim Henderson said: "We just had too many players missing and no-one who was playing covered themselves in glory with that performance - it was abysmal.
"The next two games are difficult though and we must lift ourselves and come back stronger."
Team: Campbell, Christine, Nisbet, Howarth, Hunter, McKelvie, N. Blamire, Pollock, Henderson, Beattie, Mahindru, Fisher, Hutton, Kemp, Stevenson. Subs - Johnston, Walker, B. Blamire.