THREE of the leading Scottish Junior Cup hopefuls were sensationally pitted against each other when the fourth round draw was convened in the Evening Times Offices yesterday.

Reigning trophy holders Beith landed home advantage against the winners of this weekend's third round replay showdown between 11 times silverware winners Auchinleck Talbot or last season's beaten finalists Pollok in what is the undoubted tie of the round even though a potential clash of long standing East Region rivals Linlithgow Rose and Bo'ness United also emerged from the pairings.

Last season's beaten semi-finalists Kilwinning Rangers will be on the road to face Edinburgh United while Petershill will need to be at their best for hosting the Springburn visit of a Haddington Athletic side who have taken two West Region scalps en-route to this stage.

A few curses were initially heard upon telephoning Mighty boss Johnny Millar to seek his feelings on the last 32 contest which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 21, 2017 (kick-offs 1.45pm).

He said: "I would have preferred to sail under the radar by drawing a lesser club and there's no way I'm going to pretend to be pleased with how things have panned out but it is what it is and my players will not be running scared at the prospect.

"I've no preference whatsoever with regard to the outcome of this week's replay but if it is Auchinleck who come good then it will be a fifth meeting of our clubs this season and the score to date is one win apiece and two draws.

"To have also drawn 2-2 against Pollok at Bellsdale is another strong indicator of how there is precious little to choose between all three teams so it would be foolhardy in the extreme to try and predict what team will make it into the last 16 when the dust settles.

"Auchinleck and Pollok won't be doing cartwheels either though I fancy the draw will have delighted a number of other West Region clubs."

Pollok gaffer Tony McInally responded by insisting: "It's not appropriate to pass comment on the draw when we are not actually in the last 32 ... yet.

"Our focus is firmly on this week's replay against Auchinleck and nothing should distract us from this aim.

Rob Roy gaffer Stewart Maxwell was pleased at how the draw turned out even if he considers the Kirkintilloch outfit have a tough task in going up against either Lochee United or Musselburgh Athletic.

He insisted: "To have a couple of the big-hitters falling by the wayside is a huge boost for a lot of clubs and it opens up the likelihood of an unfancied team coming from left field to win the Cup.

"We do not have it easy by any stretch of the imagination and neither do East Region hopefuls Bonnyrigg Rose in having to come through to face Kilsyth Rangers so nobody can take their place in the next round for granted and it could prove to be the most open competition for many years."

Maxi went on to reveal Rabs top hitman Willie Sawyers is already facing a race against the clock to be fit for the fourth round.

He added: "Willie has a 16mm tear in his thigh muscle which only measures 21mm and the initial prognosis is he will be sidelined for eight weeks so it really is touch and go as to whether he will have recovered.

"He will be carefully monitored as the last thing any player wants to do with a thigh muscle injury is come back too early as I know to my cost.

Also preparing to line up against East Region opposition are Maryhill whose recently installed team boss John Hughes is hopeful his playing charges can give a good account of themselves.

He said: "Fauldhouse are a bit of a unknown quantity but clearly have a battling pedigree as they were losing 1-0 to Larkhall Thistle in the last round but scored two goals late on to get through.

"We will afford every respect by doing our homework on them before the tie takes place and hopefully it does the trick.

Hughes owned up to some signing news at Lochburn Park after completing the loan signing of midfielder/striker Alex Docherty from Stirling Albion.

He admitted: "Alex was a standout playing for the Strathclyde Saturday Morning Select team last season and his form earned him a move to Stirling Albion but he's been on the periphery of things so I approached the Stirling manager Dave Mackay about a loan deal and he agreed to let Alex join Maryhill for the rest of this season.

"His capture is a real feather in our cap not least because he's yet another born and bred Maryhill lad who will be turning out for his local team."

SCOTTISH JUNIOR CUP FOURTH ROUND DRAW

Kilsyth Rangers v Thorniewood or Bonnyrigg Rose, Cumbernauld United v Luncarty or Rosyth, Carluke Rovers v Irvine Meadow or Darvel, Beith v Auchinleck Talbot or Pollok, Renfrew v Stonehaven or Greenock, Downfield or Broughty Athletic v Sauchie, Kirkintilloch Rob Roy v Lochee United or Musselburgh, Fauldhouse United v Maryhill, East Kilbride Thistle or Culter v Dundee Violet or Glenafton, Girvan v Penicuik Athletic, Gartcairn v Jeanfield Swifts or Hermes, Kelty Hearts v Kirriemuir Thistle or Hill of Beath, Petershill v Haddington, Dunbar v Benburb, Edinburgh United v Kilwinning Rangers.