The Super Premier Division relegation battle is shaping up as one of the most hotly contested ever with a trio of Junior giants - Irvine Meadow, Petershill and Arthurlie - falling through the trapdoor at the end of May.

But the very fact just seven points margin separates fifth top Shettleston from second bottom Petershill is almost certain to have a lot of “in-between” clubs looking anxiously over their shoulders as the 2015/16 season readies itself for a momentous climax.

And this coming weekend brings no let-up on the pressure with a number of crunch contests set to be played out that may yet prove decisive in the battle to avoid the drop.

Rank bottom markers Irvine Meadow continue to look dead and buried, despite showing signs of a revival in last Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Petershill.

But it's hard to envisage the Medda picking up the necessary six or seven wins from their remaining nine league games to reach the relative safety of the play-off spot.

The return from suspension of winger Gary McCann is a welcome shot in the arm for manager David Greig as he seeks to get their fight for survival off to the best possible start with a win at home to Kilbirnie Ladeside this week. Petershill’s predicament is best summed up by the realisation that coming out on top when reigning champions Auchinleck Talbot visit Springburn will be nothing more than a step in the right direction.

One win in their last six league outings hardly inspires confidence and Willie Patterson’s selection hand is likely to be hampered by the absence of outstanding shotstopper Stevie McNeil who limped away in obvious discomfort from Meadow Park.

The experienced No.1 revealed: "I jarred my knee in an early clash with big Michael Keenan and then felt something go when making a save from his second-half header.

"Only a mixture of sheer adrenaline plus the knowledge we didn’t have a replacement keeper kept me on the pitch.

“But staying on the pitch has come at a price and it’s looking like I will be sitting things out for the next couple of weeks.”

Arthurlie’s prospects of finishing no worse than third bottom appear considerably brighter following last weekend’s 3-1 defeat of Rob Roy and their players will be in buoyant mood heading down to meet Glenafton. An intriguing backdrop is provided by ex-Lie gaffer Craig McEwan going up against his former club while at the same time locking dugout horns with his erstwhile No.2 Stevie Kerrigan and Southy will be determined to pick up the three points on offer to help his Ayrshire side avoid being sucked into the mire. Meanwhile, it did not escape notice that a very unfamiliar looking Beith warmed up for this week’s ETHXenergy Scottish Junior Cup semi-final first leg against Kilwinning Rangers with a 5-0 Ayrshire Cup victory over Annbank United.

The likes of Mighty regulars John Sheridan, Ian Fisher, Kevin McDonald and Nicky Docherty didn’t even figure on a substitutes bench containing Tommy Martin, Paul Frize and Andy Reid as goals from Kenny McLean (2), Thomas Collins (2) and Calum Watt set up an intriguing second-round showdown with reigning trophy holders Hurlford United .

Beaten finalists from last time out Auchinleck Talbot and arch-rivals Cumnock were among other notable winners which leaves the second round pairings as Auchinleck Talbot v Dalry Thistle, Beith v Hurlford Utd, Kilwinning Rangers v Girvan, Troon v Irvine Meadow, Cumnock v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Saltcoats Vics v Maybole , Irvine Vics v Craigmark or Largs Thistle,Glenafton v Ardeer Thistle.

On the transfer front, one hears ex-Beith and Hurlford United forward John Craig has signed for in-form Largs Thistle whose Super First Division rivals Cumnock and Yoker Athletic have opted for more youthful recruits on loan deals with Ayr United striker Sean McKenzie moving to Townhead Park while Whe Ho gaffer Steven Reilly has fixed up towering Dumbarton stopper Stuart Fyfe.