Beith boss Johnny Millar believes his players should count their blessings for having a second ETHX Energy Scottish Junior Cup crack against Girvan to look forward to on Saturday.

The clubs lock horns in a play-to-a-finish third-round replay clash that follows on from a close-fought 0-0 Hamilton Park stalemate.

That showdown saw the Super Premier Division outfit come perilously close to a cup exit against their lower league opponents.

Millar recalled: "It’s no exaggeration to say we had the lion’s share of what scoring chances there were on the day.

"But we almost paid the price for not converting any when Girvan tossed in a long throw in the final minute and the ball skimmed off big John Sheridan’s head and drifted inches wide of the post.

“It’s hard not to think a goal at that stage could easily have been curtains.

"So I’m glad and relieved to have the opportunity to bring Girvan back to Bellsdale Park even though I fancy another difficult and highly competitive 90 minutes lies in store for us.

“Make no mistake, they are nobody’s mugs and are unbeaten in league games this season, which is understandable given they are unlike the vast majority of Ayrshire District teams that tend to consist of predominantly youthful playing squads.

“Girvan, by way of contrast, don’t lack for experienced players all over the pitch and leading the way in this respect is the former Hurlford United skipper Paul Cameron, who only two seasons ago was holding aloft the Scottish Junior Cup at Rugby Park.

“Their line-up against us also contained the former Troon signing Tony Murphy and goalscoring midfielder Davie Cunningham who have similarly played with higher level clubs as well as a solid core of ex-Maybole players that finished in the top half of the Super First Division last season .

“They moved to Girvan following the appointment of Peter Leonard as manager and he’s transformed their fortunes in a short space of time.”

Millar’s preparations for the replay included a competitive friendly against Ayrshire District top guns Irvine Vics and he couldn’t hide his delight at the manner of his side’s 3-0 victory through goals from Kenny McLean (2) and Paul Frize.

He added: "Kenny was on fire probably because he never started down at Hamilton Park as we kept faith in Thomas Collins following a hat trick display in our previous game.

“A further confidence lift comes from Ross Fisher, Nicky Docherty and Jamie Wilson returning after injury without any ill-effects and I’d like to think we’ll be in better shape for the replay.

“It’s pleasing to see our dressing room is in good spirits with everyone eager to show they deserve to figure in Saturday’s starting line-up.”

Heading further afield in search of Junior Cup replay glory are Neilston whose hopes of overcoming Arniston Rangers through at Gorebridge are boosted by the return of strong central defender Martin McInness after serving out a two game suspension for his red carding in the 2-0 second-round defeat of Rutherglen Glencairn.

Team boss Andy Whiteford admitted: “Martin’s return is very timely while both Robbie Cameron and Stephen Docherty who also sat out the first game trained full out this week to show they have recovered from injury.

“There wasn’t much to choose between the teams at Brig O’Lea but having three players of their calibre to call on could be crucial.”

In other cup games, Ardrossan Winton Rovers manager Chris Strain is keeping fingers crossed that his side’s head to head against Fife cracks Hill O’ Beath goes ahead at the third time of asking..

He said: "Having games called off on Saturday mornings can be soul destroying for players and supporters not least because your season goes on hold until the Cup game is played.

“Keir’s Park can be an intimidating arena on Scottish Cup days as I know from my own playing days, but we have older heads like John Bradford and Ryan Caddis who will thrive on the atmosphere.

“They and Ian Reid, a scorer in his last five outings, will be tasked with getting the goals to take us into the last 32 while our new defender signing Simon Marriot is a shoe-in to make his debut.”

The longest and arguably most daunting trek of all faces St Anthonys in taking to the road to meet North Region leading lights Stonehaven.