ARBROATH skipper Fraser Burnett admitted to experiencing a cocktail of emotions as he contemplated the final two weekends of the weather-ravaged Eastern Premier campaign.

Burnett's boys have rallied in generally pleasing fashion following a distinctly shaky first half of the season - and he wishes the action could go on well into September!

Last weekend, the Lichties underlined their true talent by snuffing out the challenge of title pacesetters Grange at Raeburn Place.

Now they have set their sights on inflicting a similar dose of damage on current leaders Watsonians, also on capital territory.

And Burnett just can't wait to see his side carry on at Myreside where they left off seven days earlier.

Spinner Craig Ramsay emerged as his most potent weapon at Grange, snapping up five scalps - and more of the same would be just the job in Burnett's plans.

He said: "The all-round display - Craig's in particular - was incredible.

"We batted poorly in the early portion of the match, but we more than made up for it when it came to bowling and fielding.

"We played as a team and deserved the result.

"We are confident we can do the same against Watsonians - there is no doubt that we have been building momentum."

Though Watsons and Grange are tussling at the top, Carlton can still sneak up on the rails to steal the crown.

They would, however, need assistance from other quarters along with a clear-cut win against Grange on home turf next weekend.

This afternoon they square up to Forfarshire in Edinburgh and on current form the hosts would have to be considered overwhelming favourites against the basement boys from Broughty Ferry.

Heriot's have been the models of inconsistency throughout the summer - and that is what makes their derby showdown with Grange so intriguing.

The outcome will not only depend on how Grange react to their shock loss to Arbroath, but also on the mood of the Goldenacre guys.

The bottom line is that Scottish Cup finalists Heriot's are perfectly capable of delivering a mortal blow to their neighbours - if they click when it matters.

Seldom have Stoneywood-Dyce gone into a Granite City derby with Aberdeenshire as favourites, but that will the case today at Peoples Park.

Shire have also endured a roller-coaster existence over the past few months, while SD - inspired by Jan Stander and Elton Willemse - have shown they can compete with and beat the best.