BELLSHILL Athletic and Wishaw’s 0-0 stalemate in the Scottish Junior Cup on Saturday could have been decided if whistler Chris Gentles had not denied the home side a 55th-minute stonewall penalty kick.

That was the post-match verdict argued by Bellshill boss David Lilley in the aftermath of a strongly contested but ultimately mundane Rockburn Park encounter.

The first 45 minutes were wholly forgettable but a much more industrious Bellshill dominated the second period for the most part.

And there were many on the terraces who concurred with Lilley’s viewpoint on the incident which saw his winger John Henderson sent crashing by Wishaw full-back Ryan Wilson’s challenge.

Lilley said: “I’m disappointed the penalty was not given because John is through on goal but for the tackle bringing him down and it looked a clear-cut decision from where I stood.

“The referee has also waved away our loud claims for handball offences on two separate occasions and my players assure me they were both legitimate.

“That said, I’m not blaming the man in the middle for our failure to get through because the tempo of the guys in pressing hard was good.

"And we subsequently created more than enough chances in the second half to put the game to bed only to be let down by a lack of composure and penetration in and around the penalty box.

“Yet in the closing stages Scott Morton has shown a rare glimpse touch of his real quality in taking the ball in his stride and superbly chipping their goalkeeper only for the ball to strike the top of the crossbar and bounce over.

“I knew then we were never going to score.”

The skilful and strong running Henderson epitomised his gaffer’s frustration as he passed up a glorious scoring opportunity on the hour mark when, despite having time to take a touch and compose himself, he opted for a first time shot and blazed the ball high over with only Wishy goalkeeper Sandy Thompson to beat.

And within minutes he had cut in from the right flank to fire a fierce left-footed drive just over the junction of post and crossbar - his last act before being substituted.

Bellshill’s changes included Junior scoring legend Brian Dingwall coming off the bench.

But none of them had the craft or pace to trouble their opponents whose own introduction of player/boss Chris McGroarty brought someone into the fray who knew the importance of making passes and never wasting a ball.

He said: “Bellshill hemmed us back by going a bit more direct after the interval, but I felt we handled their physicality well with Barry Eley outstanding.

“Indeed, I’m pleased as punch with our overall defensive display and recording a clean sheet in light of us shipping nine goals in our last two games.

“The tightness of the pitch didn’t allow us to play our normal expansive game so we’re not unhappy about another crack at Bellshill back at our place.”

Glenafton top scored among the first round qualifiers with Darren McGill and JP Boyle bagging trebles in their 14-0 rout of Newmachars.

Kilbirnie Ladeside midfielder Stevie Meechan went one better with four goals as the Blasties won 6-0 away to Newburgh Athletic.

Among other good wins on the road were Yoker Athletic’s 5-1 defeat of Sunnybank where young striker Darren Jones netted a hat-trick inside the opening 35 minutes and Kilsyth hitman Joe Barclay helped himself to a brace of goals in a 5-1 victory up at Burghead .

Closer to home Robbie Cameron and Derek Kennedy (2) counted for Neilston in a 3-0 triumph over Dufftown and Kilwinning Rangers came out on top in the all-Ayrshire contest against Dalry Thistle with Calvin Kemp, Kyle Cumming and Bryan Boylan on target.

Larkhall Thistle overcame a 1-0 half-time deficit to ease past Haddington Athletic with second half scores by Matty Clark and Graham Gracie (2 pens).

However, Ardrossan Winton Rovers left matters even later at home to Whitburn where final quarter of an hour goals from Ian Reid (76 mins) and Ryan Caddis (90) helped rack up a 2-1 win.

West Region sides were also on the wrong end of some emphatic cup scorelines, none more so than Irvine Vics who were hammered 7-1 at home against Camelon.

Closer to home, East Kilbride Thistle succumbed to a 4-0 beating from Armadale Thistle and Thorniewood United went down 3-0 away to Bonnyrigg Rose.

A sorry day for the Vics only felt worse when word came through that they had relinquished their outright lead atop the Ayrshire District League after Darvel joined them on the nine-point mark thanks to scoring braces by Kenny Parris and Mark Armour earning a 4-2 victory over Kello Rovers.

And further salt in their wounds came from arch foes Irvine Meadow showing signs of emerging from their early season rut thanks to Gary McCann and Ryan Deas doubles along with scores by Chris Wilson, Paul Maxwell and Sean Fraser bringing about a 7-2 thrashing of Beith whose marksmen were Richie Burke and Andy Reid.

Hurlford United remain atop the Super Premier pile after recovering from falling a goal behind to overcome Pollok 2-1 at Blair Park.

Tam Hanlon’s super free kick opener was cancelled out before half-time by Paul “Taz” McKenzie.

But matters appeared to be again going the way of the Glasgow visitors when United midfielder Danny Mitchell was given his marching orders for a challenge on Mark Sideserf that caused the Pollok full to limp off.

But a David McClune free kick in the final minute led to Lok goalkeeper Jordan Longmuir parrying away his scoring shot and razor sharp hitman Stewart Keane reacted first to net from close range.

Arthurlie remain in second top spot despite losing out 3-2 at Troon for whom Adam Forsyth, Craig Harvey and Dale Moore were on the mark.