MARK CAMERON predicted some time ago that Arthurlie had too many good players to be relegated.

And last night the fledgling manager was proved correct after his side secured Super Premier safety with a 2-1 victory over arch-rivals Pollok which consigns Bellshill or Cumnock to a two-leg play-off against the third-best placed Super First Division outfit.

Dunterlie's full-time whistle saw Branco cheered inside by jubilant supporters whose ecstasy was heightened by knowing the result dented Pollok's hopes of being crowned champions for a fourth time in six seasons.

"Any neutral would have been hard pushed to pick out the title challenging team from last night's game," said the beaming gaffer.

"Yes, there were a few hairy moments but, over the piece, we more than matched up with them in a football playing sense and had by far the better goalscoring chances.

"In fact, but for Kris Robertson pulling off some terrific saves, then we could have had the points wrapped up long before the end.

"Our display might have surprised a few people, however I have maintained that, ability wise, our squad is on a par with any team and few can live with us when we play with the passion and hunger that was evident last night."

A healthy crowd took in this fifth derby clash of the season and they were almost treated to a stunning opening goal after 90 seconds but for Lie No.1 Peter Shaw diving full length to parry out Richie Newall's fierce netbound drive.

Shaw continued as the busier of the two keepers over the opening 45 minutes, but his only scare of note arrived on the half hour mark when Zander Ryan cut in from his right wing berth to unleash a power-ful left-foot shot that cannoned off the upright to safety.

Branco's half-time talk saw a livelier Arthurlie after the interval and their new approach brought a scoring breakthrough in 51 minutes.

John Bradford kept possession before passing to midfield runner John Johnston, who fired low past the advancing Robertson.

That advantage could have been doubled but for a debatable offside decision ruling out a Sean Winter effort, but any outcry from home fans was soon stifled when Arthurlie did make it 2-0 shortly afterwards.

Robertson's reflex save, to parry out Brian Wardle's header, succeeded only in setting up Craig Malcolm to net from point-blank range. Lie were threatening to run riot, but Robertson kept them at bay before his team reduced the leeway through a Ryan free-kick.

Lok piled on the pressure but it was the home side who came closest to scoring when Robertson's outstanding double save foiled Winter and Flannery.

Elsewhere, Port Glasgow took a step towards Central First Division championship glory thanks to Jim Brown's first-half goal in a 1-0 victory over St Roch's.

Brian Heron's young side will claim top spot assuming they take all three points from Saturday's final league match at home to Dunipace.

At Super First Division level, Vale of Clyde went second top with a 2-0 success over Maryhill thanks to Paul Thomson and Thomas Sinc- lair hitting the target while, at the other end of the table, Clydebank's relegation fears were eased though Miller netting the only goal of the game against Renfrew lThe quarter-final draw for the 33rd and last-ever Whyte & Mackay Cup tournament takes place tonight. Last season's beaten finalists, Kilbirnie, are joined in the hat by Pollok, Troon, Beith, Girvan, Dalry, Glencairn and Lesmahagow.

The draws for the last 16 of the Central League Cup and the quarter-finals of the Ayrshire Cup also go ahead.

Results & Fixtures

Stagecoach Super First: Johnstone Burgh 1 East Kilbride 3, Clydebank 1 Renfrew 0, Annbank 4 Lesmahagow 1, Maryhill 0 Vale of Clyde 2.

Stagecoach Central District First: Cumbernauld 3 Benburb 0, Port Glasgow 1 St Roch's 0.

Stagecoach Ayrshire District League: Winton Rovers 4 Saltcoats 1, Kello 1 Darvel 4, Craigmark 1 Girvan 3.

Ayrshire Cup. 2nd round: Cumnock 1 Kilbirnie 0.

SATURDAY

Stagecoach Super First: Kilbirnie v Kilwinning, Clydebank v Annbank, Lesmahagow v Troon, Rob Roy v Maybole.

Stagecoach Central District First: Port Glasgow v Dunipace, Lanark v Glencairn.

Stagecoach Ayrshire District League: Darvel v Girvan, Whitletts v Craigmark, Kello v Winton Rov.