Petershill have been floored by the devastating news that experienced goalkeeper Stevie McNeil is unlikely to play again this year.

The 27-year-old hasn’t featured between the Peasy posts since injuring his knee in a clash away to Irvine Meadow in April when his shotstopping heroics were a major factor in the Springburn outfit emerging with a 2-2 draw

However, it transpires that more harm than good was done by Stevie opting to play on through the pain barrier - Petershill didn’t have a replacement goalkeeper listed that day - after a first-half clash with ex-team-mate Michael Keenan left him limping heavily and in obvious discomfort.

Last week he finally underwent a routine Ross Hall scan and consultation which revealed Stevie requires to go under the knife to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament as well as a slight tear to his cartilage.

The popular No.1 said: "The specialist reckons the cartilage damage was a result of diving around when the cruciate had already been torn and truth is I’m probably fortunate not to have suffered a longer lasting injury.

“They say goalkeepers are mad, but at the time I didn’t know the full extent of the injury so it seemed right to do my bit to help the team.

“As it is I’ve been advised to look at a probable rehab time of eight months duration, which equates to a comeback in January next year.

"However, I’m hoping improve on that date by starting work on a specific knee-strengthening programme next week designed to better my anticipated rate of recovery.

“I’ve spoken with other footballers who have told me that coming back too early could bring other problems, but I cannot wait to be back in competitive action again.”

Stevie’s No.1 jersey has been handed to amateur signing Frank Hughes, who has performed admirably as a replacement and was the last line of defence last night when the relegation threatened Peasy’s final Super Premier Division of this season saw them host the visit of already doomed Irvine Meadow.

He was blameless as the idea that Petershill could avoid a relegation fate was blown out of the water by the famous old Springburn outfit succumbing to a 1-0 defeat against the Super Premier Division bottom markers.

Second half goals from Medda midfielders Sean Fraser and Ryan Deas ensured the Peasy will go down along with the Ayrshiremen while results elsewhere consigned another Glasgow club Shettleston to a third from bottom placing and needing to win a play-off against the third best Super Premier Division side to maintain their top flight status..

The Town lost out 1-0 at home to title challengers Hurlford United for whom Ross Robertson bagged the only goal of the game and their fate was sealed by Arthurlie securing their safety through goals from Mark Blakey and Steven Tart clinching a 2-0 victory over Beith.

At the other end of the table, reigning champions Auchinleck Talbot opened up a four point gap on the chasing pack thanks to Graham Wilson and Willie Boyd scores helping overcome Glenafton 2-0 at the same time as challengers Kilbirnie Ladeside and Pollok dropped two points apiece in playing out a 1-1 draw at Valefield .

A late Davie Winters penalty kick conversion looked to have earned Pollok the spoils however Martin Grehan netted an injury time equaliser for the Blasties.

Mark Burbridge (2), Joel Kasabundi and Nikky Little goals helped Clydebank defeat Cumbernauld United 4-1 to boost the Bankies hopes of stepping up from the Super First Division at the first time of asking .

A major upset atop the Central First Division standings saw Wishaw lose 2-1 to basement strugglers Lesmahagow thus opening the door for Maryhill and Rossvale to pip Chris McGroarty’s men to the second promotion place.

In the Euroscot Eng Cup stakes, holders Thorniewood United went through to the last 16 with a 2-1 triumph over Carluke Rovers who finished with only eight men but last season’s beaten finalists Blantyre Vics were sent crashing out by a 2-0 defeat from St Roch's for whom Jordan Logan and Daryll Naismith were on target.