KEEPING Haddington Athletic in the East Premier League remains the target for the club's co-manager, Kevin Twaddle.

The 44-year-old took over along with Brian Johnston, who moved from Ormiston, in the summer, and endured a difficult start to the season.

They picked up just two wins in their first eight games – a 3-1 league success at home to Tranent Juniors and a 3-0 win over Armadale Thistle, also at Millfield.

They won back-to-back games last month, and Twaddle insists performances are improving.

He told Courier Sport: "I think over the last five or six weeks things have definitely picked up.

"The lads are really buying in to what we're trying to do and although maybe the results haven't been fantastic, things have definitely improved from when we took over."

A 2-1 defeat to Bonnyrigg Rose in the Fife and Lothians Cup on Saturday meant elimination from that competition, while a 2-1 loss to Sauchie Juniors saw the Hi Hi exit the East of Scotland Cup at the first stage.

The Haddington bosses gave a number of fringe players an outing against the East Superleague champions, and Twaddle was delighted with how they performed.

"Everyone who was on the bench the previous weekend started and I thought they were superb – they've given us some real headaches for this weekend.

"Those are the kinds of problems we want to have though – guys like Shaun Hill came in and I thought he was fantastic.

"He's not played much football [this season] but he came in and did really well."

With the exception of the Scottish Junior Cup, where the Hi Hi travel to Shotts Bon Accord in round two having seen off Troon in round one, the former St. Johnstone and Hearts midfielder outlined his priorities for the rest of the season.

Twaddle added: "When we came down for the interviews, the committee said this year was about staying in the league.

"I want this club to do well, but we've got to be realistic and our goal this season is to firstly make sure we stay in the division.

"The performances are getting better and I think if we keep playing like we have been recently, the results will come and we could finish up the table a bit."

"We want to make sure the club is still in the division."

Twaddle was looking forward to Saturday's meeting with Dundee Violet, just seven days before they visit Hannah Park, home of Shotts Bon Accord, in round two of the Scottish Junior Cup.

He said: "Next weekend will take care of itself – the league is our bread and butter and Saturday won't be an easy game for us.

"The guys are applying themselves well, and we've got a few decisions to make when it comes to picking the team, but I'm confident we can get a result."