Arthurlie dropped vital points in the race for the Premier League title as they ended the match hanging on against a Cumnock onslaught against nine men!

With the match starting at a frantic pace, one which would continue for most of the ninety minutes, the opening goal looked like coming when Ross Ballantyne was upended on the edge of the box.  With the visiting defenders vehemently protesting, most likely because the foul appeared to be commited outside the penalty box, their no3 entered the book for dissent while keeper Potter somehow escaped the same fate for belting the ball out the ground.  He did regain his calm to dive low and save John Bradford's spot kick.

Minutes later Bradford made amends.  Alan Shields long pass was played into the box and with defenders and forwards alike missing the ball, it was Brad who tucked it away, high fiving suspended skipper Fabi in celebration.

The second half brought dismay and disarray for Arthurlie, with one memorable effort somehow being cleared off the line by a defender lying prone on the ground.  Craig Marshall limped off following an injury to make you for James Evans and Alan McFadden replaced the prolific Joe Andrew, and within minutes was limping following a challenge.  Paul Hilland saw red for the FOURTH time this season when he was dismissed for a lunge above the ball on the edge of the box, and while the ref this time awarded a freekick it made little difference as the defensive wall split and the shot was deflected home. 

Cumnock struck the crossbar with a stunning long range effort with the rebound hammered into the Levern before 'Lie were reduced to nine men with the loss of the injured Ricky Orr.

Two points dropped as elsewhere Neilston won 1-0 at Lochburn to push Maryhill further into the relegation shit, and Pollok closed to within one point of us with a 3-0 win over Petershill - Alan Waddell got one with Bryan Dingwall becoming the first player in the SSPL to move past 20goals for the season with a double strike.

C Marshall (J Evans), R Ballantyne, P Hilland, B Wardle, A Shields, S Gallagher, J Johnston,  M Hughes, J Bradford, R Orr, J Andrew (A McFadden (D Prow))

So how did our Super Premier colleagues fair today?

Shock of the day surely the triumph of Port Glasgow over the team that defeated us last week, Cumnock now able to focus on the league after losing 1-0.  Holders Auchinleck cruised through with a 3-0 away win over Shettleston while Alan Waddell was on the scoresheet as Pollok came away from Lochore with a 4-1 win.  Replays aplenty for next week with Petershill (0-0 with Blairgowrie), Bellshill (2-2, Glenrothes) and Glenafton after no one could find the net at Lanark.

Our fixture for next week remains intact as Renfrew put their woeful league form behind them to earn a morale boosting 4-0 win over Livingston Utd ahead of their visit to Dunterlie. 

Shotts crashed 1-0 to Whitburn where some crowd trouble once again marred a Shotts Scottish Cup tie, while Kilsyth put five past Dunbar Utd in reply to their two. 

Neighbours Neilston travelled to Largs where they came away with victory while the odd goal in three while Maryhill continued their dismal season, losing 2-0 at Blantyre Vics.

Elsewhere...highest score of the round Kelty Hearts 14 Burghead Thistle 0, our conquerers of a few years back Arniston lost 2-1 to Haddington.  Tayport won 4-2 against Thorniewood while Thornton Hibs (remember them?) lost 7-1 to Dundonald Bluebell.  Senior/Junior cup outfit Girvan went down 7-0 to Oakley.

Maryhill - 2-0 defeat to Blantyre Vics

The Joe and JJ Show...with a wee Faddy goal too

Arthurlie strolled to victory in this match against a rather spirited performance from Forfar who showed on numerous occasions why they sit top of their regional league.

Gary Faulds started with a bold line up, three forwards in the opening eleven with a return for Alan McFadden, while Barry Nicholls started wearing nine.  Paul Hilland also returned, knowing that one yellow would lead to a three match suspension whilst John Johnston was making his first start in sky blue.

An early scare as Forfar were two on one in the 'Lie box was quickly banished as Joe Andrew resumed normal service with a delightful strike.  Turning on the right side of the box, he stroked the ball across the keeper where it somehow crept into the net via the far post.  Forfar continued to press and would be entitled to feel agrieved when the home side went two up in rather fortunate circumstances. 

Martin Hughes powered from the half way line to the box and laid the ball across for Alan McFadden to curl the ball towards goal.  With the shot looking like just clearing the bar the 'keeper went for the strike to make sure but only succeeded in turning the ball onto the woodwork to fall sweetly for John Johnston to head home from close range.

The lead was extended minutes later with Joe Andrew doubling his tally by smashing home from Greg McCulloch's excellent square ball from the left and a few minutes on Johnston got in on the act again with a rocket from 20yards which gave the 'keeper no hope.

The match petered out in the second period with a nasty looking injury for Barry Nicholls who was carried from the pitch and the only event of real note in the second period was the final goal of the match from Alan McFadden who cut in from the goal line on the left side to fire the ball into the far corner to complete the scoring.

Oh and for those wondering...no booking for Mr Hilland, who is now available to feature next week against his former team Renfrew.

Marshall, McCulloch, Hilland, Fabiani, Wardle, Williams (McFarlane), Johnston, Hughes, Nicholls (Orr 51), Andrew (Bradford 45), McFadden

Unused - Prow, Shields

My mole has been digging...and the info reaching me is...

• Ross Ballantyne - Injured at work last Monday after being burned by burst pipe and spent a couple of days in hospital.  Looking like a lengthy absence for Rosco and we can only wish him the best of luck with his recuperation.
• Paul Hughes - is now recovered from his ligament injury and is available for selection
• James Evans - still struggling with a hamstring injury and a couple of weeks away from competing for the number one jersey
• Barry Nicholls - injury not as bad as it seemed today, no serious damage apparent.  Thankfully.
• John Johnston - suffering at the end of the match, visibly limping, although the fact that he continued (as we had used all our subs) would hopefully suggest it isn't too serious

Good to see Smudger back doing what he does best, although unfortunately not for us.  He opened the scoring as Maryhill fought back from last week's 7-1 drubbing at the hands of Talbot to beat Glenafton 3-2.  We'll just hope he doesn't come back to haunt us.

Arthurlie passed up the chance to top the SSPL for the first time this season as defeat at Townhead Park left us unable to take advantage of Auchinleck's loss to Neilston.

As with the last two matches, 'Lie fell behind but, on this occasion, were unable to find the goals that would secure the points that would keep us ahead of Cumnock in the League.  As things stand, Arthurlie lie third behind Cumnock and Talbot, level on 20 points, although todays victors have a game in hand.

As with last week, Ross Ballantyne had the first chance of the game but was denied as the referee's whistle blew despite the lack of any apparent infringement while Joe Andrew saw his low drive saved by John Potter in the Cumnock goal.  Ross Ballantyne saw his curling free kick swirl over the junction of the bar and post but it was the home side who took the lead with an uncontested header in the six yard box send beyond Craig Marshall.

Joe Andrew continued his hunt for golas, cutting inside from the left touchline and winding his way past several defenders before his final effort was blocked by a last gasp tackle but it was Cumnock who ended the half on a high, seeing two efforts narrowly miss.

Gary Faulds chose the offensive outlook for the second half with Alan McFadden replacing Ricky Orr as 'Lie went three up front, while Davie Prow also entered the fray in place of Alan Shields.  John Bradford, looking to score for the fourth match in a row, miscued in front of goal when it looked easier to net before his skillful knock down to Andrew resulted in the latter tugging the ball into the arms of a grateful Potter. 

Andrew powered his way into the right side of the box but he opted to shoot with Bradford waiting in the six yard box and his effort was smothered.  Martin Hughes was picking up the ball on the edge of the box with great effect but he couldn't hit the target despite repeated efforts and John Johnston became the fourth front man in blue and white when he replaced Greg McCulloch.

Leading by example Roland Fabiani charged forward out of defence, winning a free kick that came to nothing, but disaster struck just before the final substitution of Johnston as Fabi went down in the corner and, limping off at the end of the game, must surely now be a doubt for the crucial Scottish Cup tie next week.

All in all, with 'Lie failing to take their chances, there can be few complaints about today's game, a touch disappointing but the fight must go on!

Today's ET reports that Craig Ferguson has requested a move away from Dunterlie.  We'd like to thank Craig for his service since signing in the summer and wish him all the best wherever he ends up.  Reports suggest that he will return to former club Larkhall Thistle following their appointment of Bobby Crilley to the helm at Gasworks Park.