THERE were stumbles and a few tumbles before they discovered the winning path but there can be no doubt Largs Thistle are taking the Super First Division high road given they remain unbeaten in eight starts and currently top the standings some six points ahead of nearest challengers Clydebank.

These impressive stats portray an astonishing turnaround in fortunes for a Theesel side that has gone from strength to strength ever since club officials took the bold step last January to part company with previous team manager Sandy McLean and appoint Bryan Slavin in his stead along with trusted lieutenant Stuart 'Arnie' Davidson.

Onlookers felt it was a bit of a gamble to put all your faith in a fledgling management team coming good however it was argued that playing for highly successful Auchinleck Talbot sides and living up to the expectations of their often intense supporting legions, prepares you for anything.

And making a case that suggests the once feared midfield partnership appear to be reaping the rewards of their tough Beechwood Park schooling finds no argument from Barrfields No.2 Davidson.

Speaking last night after winding up preparations for today’s top of the table clash away to third placed Kilsyth Rangers, he insisted.

“It would be ludicrous for Slavers and myself not to try and imitate the mentality and good habits that have served Talbot so well down through the years.

“But at the same time we need to be our own people and in this respect we are always looking to put our own stamp on things and in this respect the players have been superb in buying into our ideas and methods.

“You cannot expect that to a man they will become committed out and out winners in the same mould as we were in our playing days but the response from them has been to give us everything in their tank at training and games.

“Now they are fitter and there is a no-nonsense approach to defending which has helped no end in bringing about our current unbeaten run.

“However both Slavers and I know to expect other sides to go on similar runs so it’s crucial that we keep putting points on the board when things are going well.

"Simply put, successful Junior sides are a direct result of putting in the hard work to be in the best possible shape physically and mentally so there’s no need for any tactical genius in the dugout.”

The fiercely competitive Slavin has played more games than not for Largs this season and Arnie believes his example has rubbed off on defensive stalwart Alan Gilbride as well as midfield trio Gary Fleming, Glenn Thomson and Graham Muir.

He revealed: "These guys have really stepped up to the plate this season as has our former Talbot team-mate Gary Philips who has arrived back from Albion Rovers s a better player than when he stepped up.

“He’s acquired more of a physical presence yet still possesses the ability to glide past opponents with consummate ease and we wouldn’t be surprised in the least if he gets another chance at a higher level.

“And I cannot talk of players doing well without mentioning James Marks who is liable to blow hot and cold but make no mistake he is a match-winner on his day.”

Arnie believes Largs will face a testing encounter through at Duncansfield against a Kilsyth side smarting from their 4-0 ETHX Energy Junior Cup defeat by Camelon last weekend.

He said: “Keith Hogg and Kevin McBride are young coaches like ourselves and they will be urging their players to turn us over and try to close the points gap between us in the table which would run into double figures if we come out on top.

“A sizeable lead would be more than welcome as they are shaping up as a title challenger and we also expect Cumnock and Clydebank to be firmly in the running once things settle down in the New Year.

Meanwhile, former Bankies fans favourite Jamie Campbell, recently transfer listed by Beith, has raised more than a few eyebrows by signing on the dotted line for Greenock despite reputed signing interest from Super Premier pair Petershill and Shettleston.

The highly rated midfielder’s move to the fifth from bottom side in the Super First Division pile raised the question as to whether he was related to Ravenscraig Stadium head honcho Martin Campbell however the Nock boss laughed away the suggestion.

He said: “Not a lot of people know that I narrowly lost out on Jamie during the summer months when he opted to stay in the top flight with Beith.

“He’s a local lad, staying only a few hundred yards from our stadium, so it’s an ideal move for him as well as a real feather in our cap to get a player of his quality n board and my hope is that others of a similar ilk will follow.

“Protracted transfer matters prevented him making his debut when Largs beat us 2-0 last Saturday when his ability to make forward runs and get on the end of things inside the penalty area could have made all the difference in a game where we enjoyed dominance throughout the first half but could not stick away our chances inclusive of a penalty kick award.

“You’d have though two different sides came out second half and it didn’t help our cause to conceded a soft penalty kick award that allowed Largs to get their noses in front early in the second period.

“He will make his debut at home to Bellshill Athletic today in a game we must win to arrest a sorry sequence that has brought us just one point from our last four league outings.”

Elsewhere on the Junior transfer scene comes word of Central First Division leading lights Rossvale further strengthening their playing hand with the acquisitions of midfielder Louis Kinnaird from Lowland League outfit East Kilbride and highly promising Goldenhill Boys Club Under 21’s goalkeeper Lewis Elliot .

Ahead of today’s home clash with Dunipace, ambitious gaffer Martin Lauchlan admitted: "You can never rest on your laurels in this game and we as a club are forever on the lookout for players who can improve our lot.

“Louis and Lewis have the ability to do just that.”

PLAYING TODAY(Kick Offs 1.45 PM ):

ETHX Energy Scottish Junior Cup Third Round: Coupar Angus v Hermes, Blairgowrie v Darvel, Stonehaven v St Anthony's , Hill O’Beath v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Scone Thistle v Saltcoats Vics, Kinoull v Auchinleck Talbot, Lochee Utd v Penicuik Athletic, Carnoustie Panmure v Livingston Utd Third Round Replays: Muirkirk v Tayport, Rosyth Juniors v Glenrothes, Dundee Violet v Kilbirnie Ladeside , Arniston Rangers v Neilston, Beith v Girvan, Kennoway Star Hearts v St Rochs, Armadale Thistle v Wishaw.

McBookie.com Super Premier Division. Pollok v Shettleston, Arthurlie v Irvine Meadow, Rob Roy v Petershill, Hurlford Utd v Troon.McBookie.com Super First Division. Greenock v Bellshill Atletic, Rutherglen Glencairn v Clydebank, Kilsyth Rangers v Largs Thistle,Yoker Athletiic v Maybole , Blantyre Vics v Cumbernauld Utd, Cumnock v Shotts Bon Accord.

McBookie.com Central First Division: Lesmahagow v Vale of Clyde, Maryhill v Johnstone Burgh, Rossvale v Dunipace, Larkhall Thistle v Thorniewood Utd.

McBookie.com Central Second Division: Gartcairn v Vale of Leven, Ashfield v Lanark Utd, East Kilbride Thistle v Benburb, Port Glasgow v Newmains Utd, Cambuslang Rangers v Royal Albert, Forth v Glasgow Perthshire.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League: Dalry Thistle v Lugar Boswell, Whitletts Vics v Irvine Vics, Annbank Utd v Ardeer Thistle, Kello Rovers v Craigmark.