BELLSHILL Athletic must develop a battling side to their make-up if they are to figure as Central First Division title challengers this season.

That's the considered opinion of boss Robert Downs,who reckons the football-playing qualities of his players could be overshadowed with seven Lanarkshire clubs in the First Division - Blantyre Vics, Carluke Rovers, Lanark Utd, Larkhall Thistle, Lesmahagow and Wishaw being the others.

Bellshill are fancied to be one of the teams to beat after finishing fourth-top last time out, just a point behind third-placed Benburb. However, Downsy is warning against his playing charges taking anything for granted.

He said: "It might sound a bit cliched but we simply must adopt a one-game-at-a-time approach, perhaps more than at any other time in recent years.

"Yes, we were very competitive last time and came ever so close to going up, but it's darn near impossible to predict how this division is going to pan out considering you have the unknown threats of three promoted and three relegated clubs coming into it.

"That said, what is patently obvious is that half our league fixtures are going to be derby type contests against other Lanarkshire clubs and these matches are sure to go a long way towards determining our final league position.

"An intense rivalry surfaces in these head-to-heads and it's crucial my players show themselves capable of rolling up the sleeves and fighting their corner, particularly in the away games.

"And what we have to guard against is this Lanarkshire factor working in favour of Benburb, Maryhill, St Anthony's and Dunipace who are the teams I would tip at this early stage to figure in the title race."

Bellshill head through to face Downsy's former amateur side Giffnock North in a pre-season encounter that follows on from a midweek 2-1 defeat of Harthill Royal thanks to Craig Holmes and Ryan Connolly goals.

The gaffer admitted : "We've had two wins, a draw and a defeat up to now but these results have little relevance in the grand scheme of things.

"These games are all about acquiring match fitness and bedding in new players as well as getting a look at trialists.

"There are signs the guys are playing better for longer periods at a time and our form is improving so I'm confident the players will be fully prepared and ready for the season kicking off in earnest."

The former Pollok, Arthurlie and Junior Scotland striker was disappointed when full-back Anton McDowall departed for Shotts Bon Accord during the summer. But countering this is his delight at his own forays into the transfer market.

He has signed two former ­Pollok players, midfielder Lee Nicholl and goalkeeper Zander Cowie, plus Gary McGrath from St Anthony's, prolific goalscorer Mark McCarry from Rutherglen Glencairn, and Max McKee from Cambuslang Rangers.

Downsy went on: "It's always a worry bringing in newcomers but all the guys are looking the part and I'm hopeful a few more new faces are in the pipeline."

Bellshill would appear to not be the only club still looking to boost dressing-room numbers after Cumbernauld United's midweek acquistion of attacking midfielder Gary Carroll, formerly of Sauchie Juniors.

His club's capture of the in-demand 24-year-old, who previously turned out for Bo'ness United and Alloa Athletic, delighted United gaffer John Queen.

"Ours has been a long- term pursuit of Gary but we deliberately kept our interest as low-key as possible rather than run the risk of another club pick-pocketing him away from us." said Queen.

In other signing news, ­Arthurlie boss Gavin Duncan has snapped up ex-Hamilton Accies and Peterhead defender Connor McGlinchey as well as goalkeeper Mikey White, who was between the posts for Petershill last season.

Promoted Super First Division new boys Irvine Vics have recruited striker Mathew Santos from Saltcoats Vics and former Annbank United stopper Reid Brown, who can lay claim to having played for Celtic and Kilmarnock youth sides earlier in his career.

And Rutherglen Glencairn have fixed up centre-back David Dunnachie, who was on Thorniewood United's books last season.

Meanwhile, the late cancellation of tomorrow's friendly match against Kilwinning Rangers has led to Wishaw Juniors arranging alternative opposition in the shape of Camelon, who will host John McKeown's men at Carmuirs Park (kick-off 1.30pm).

And Shotts Bon Accord have been left scrambling around for opponents after Dalkeith Thistle cried off from a scheduled friendly tomorrow because of injuries and holiday commitments bringing about an acute player shortage.