ASHFIELD boss Stevie Rankin has been given a stark reminder of his team's place in the Junior pecking order as a result of Sunday's Citylink Cup fifth-round draw.

ASHFIELD boss Stevie Rankin has been given a stark reminder of his team's place in the Junior pecking order as a result of Sunday's Citylink Cup fifth-round draw.

The 123-year-old Possil-based outfit landed a testing trip to big-spending Irvine Meadow, whose determination to get hold of the Holy Grail has seen yet another new signing - with the possibility of others to follow.

As exclusively revealed in SportTimes, ex-Dundee United, Partick Thistle and Morton winger Paul Walker, an unused substitute for the Ayrshire cracks in their 2-1 weekend defeat of Rob Roy, has become the latest big-name acquisition.

And word has it that ambitious gaffer Chris Strain is stepping up his efforts to entice Cumnock into parting with highly-rated Scotland frontman Richie Barr.

News of Medda's latest strengthening moves today brought a wry smile from the seasoned Rankin (pictured right).

He said: "Meadow are in a league apart from the vast majority of Junior clubs and nothing they do surprises me. You only have to look back at our respective transfer dealings during the close season when we signed four lads from Under-21 football while they snapped up Andy McLaren, Zander Ryan, John Bradford and Frank Haggerty among a whole host of others.

"There really is no comparison yet, hand on heart, I honestly believe we are capable of giving them a run for their money. It will be tough and ideally I'd have loved to have taken them to Saracen Park, but their place holds no great fears as we were not given an earthly down there in the Evening Times Cup a few years back yet we only lost 3-2.

"As long as we don't freeze on the day and get overawed by all the big names on show then another decent showing is not beyond us."

Another lower-league side enthusing over the prospect of lining up against one of the Super Premier big guns are Thorniewood, for whom Pollok are the next opponents if they manage to overcome Maybole in this week's replay.

United's most experienced player, John Fallon, a former signing of Lok boss Jim Sinnett during his previous managerial stint at Linlithgow, admitted: "A home game against Pollok would provide a much-needed boost to our funds while, for myself, there's a bit of added motivation from trying to prove a point to Jimmy.

"I never really figured in his plans at Linlithgow and it would be fair to say it was not one of my happiest spells as a player."

Turning his attention to this week's Ladywell Stadium showdown, he added: "We have a not inconsiderable mountain to climb in Maybole if we want to entertain any thoughts about facing Pollok.

"And they will obviously fancy their chances of going through now we are down on their patch, however we are feeling reasonably confident given we came within five minutes of winning the first game.

"My old team-mate Paul Kerr scored that one, and he is their main threat, but Darren Murphy played him very well last Saturday and hopefully he'll be even better for the experience when they lock horns again."

The Central First Division side are set to receive a massive boost with top scorer Stephen Mullen and ex-Stirling Albion midfielder Eddie Logan ready to declare themselves fit after missing out at Robertson Park through hamstring injuries.

Added Fallon: "Any team would miss that pair, so it can only help our chances to have both available for selection."

Meanwhile, tie-of-the-round status undoubtedly belongs to the clash of record seven-times winners Auchinleck and Beith, without a Scottish Cup success in their 70-year history.

Beith coach and former Scottish Cup winner Ian Ashcroft said: "It's not one we'd have picked, particularly at Beechwood Park, however I'm sure Tommy Sloan will not be doing cartwheels over the prospect of playing us.

"We beat them 3-2 down there in our opening league game back in August but nothing can be read into that game as they are a much-changed team and there are a number of different faces figuring in our line-up as well."

SATURDAY'S FIXTURES

(1.45pm unless stated)Scottish Citylink Cup. Fourth round replays: Maybole v Thorniewood Utd, Montrose Roselea v Dyce (1.30pm).

Stagecoach Super Premier Division: Cumnock v Glenafton, Vale of Clyde v Arthurlie, Auchinleck Talbot v Bellshill, Neilston v Irvine Meadow, Beith v Petershill, Pollok v Rob Roy.

Stagecoach Super First Division: Kilwinning Rangers v Clydebank, Port Glasgow v Lanark Utd, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Girvan, Renfrew v Largs Thistle, Shotts v East Kilbride Thistle, Annbank Utd v Hurlford Utd.

Stagecoach Central First Division: Johnstone Burgh v Benburb, Maryhill v Vale of Leven, Yoker v Cumbernauld Utd, Glencairn v Larkhall Thistle, Lesmahagow v Ashfield, Cambuslang Rangers v St Anthony's.

Stagecoach Central Second Division: Royal Albert v Greenock, Shettleston v Forth , St Roch's v Newmains Utd, Blantyre Vics v Carluke Rovers, Glasgow Perthshire v Dunipace.

Stagecoach Ayrshire Division: Lugar v Kello Rovers, Winton Rovers v Craigmark, Whitletts Vics v Ardeer Thistle, Muirkirk v Darvel, Dalry Thistle v Troon, Saltcoats Vics v Irvine Vics.