PETER WEATHERSON looks like he could be Shettleston’s go-to man after netting a wonder free-kick in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Petershill.

An entertaining game that could easily have brought more goals for both teams delivered Shettleston’s second Section 3 success in four days and installs them as favourites to clinch an Exsel Group Cup quarter-final place.

And one can imagine bookmakers' odds on the Greenfield Park men earning promotion back to the Super Premier Division at the first time of asking will be significantly shortened if Weatherson and fellow player/manager Ryan McStay continue to wrought personnel and playing style changes.

The former were clearly apparent on Saturday when the ex-Annan Athletic duo included themselves in a Shettleston starting line-up, close to unrecognisable with only three players Bob Campbell, Rikky McIntosh and Ross Dickson remaining from last season.

Weatherson said: "Yes, there have been big changes but we’re not finished yet as we have just agreed a signing deal with Stevie Logan whose previous club was Newcastle United and other new faces are coming.

“The game at this level is new to both Ryan and me, so we will rely on the professional approach that has served us well in our careers and see where it gets us.

“We had identified improvements were necessary to the playing squad not least because we’ve never entered a competition looking to finish second and we are happy with how things are progressing.

“Today’s display was night and day from midweek when we conceded four goals to Bellshill Athletic and it was good to be part of it, however we can and will play a lot better .”

Shettleston had found themselves under pressure in the early stages and goalkeeper Garry White made a fine save to deny an Alex Cassells header before having to pick the ball out of his net with 27 minutes played after Connor Stevenson’s threaded pass sent Jason Hardie through on goal to steer a low shot beyond Kelly for 1-0.

That lead could easily have been doubled as Stuart McCann and Stephen McGladrigan passed up scoring opportunities and the Peasy paid the ultimate price when Shettleston got back on level terms approaching half time.

A free kick award fully 30 yards from goal appeared innocuous enough for experienced visiting keeper Mikey White to dispense with the need for a defensive wall however he was then left helpless as Weatherson lashed home a fierce shot to send the teams into the interval at level pegging.

A more confident Shettleston were on the ascendancy from the restart , with Weatherson’s flicks and touches acting to unnerve Petershill;s backline whose failure to clear their lines around the 55th minute mark led to a second Shettleston goal as Jordan Halsman netted with a well struck shot from Rikky McIntosh’s pass .

Petershill rallied in the closing stages and there were unsuccessful roars for a penalty kick when McCann was felled by a Campbell challenge inside the area however the Town backline, in which Greg McDonald was immense , put up the shutters to carve out what may prove a crucial win.

Peasy gaffer Willie Patterson admitted afterwards , “ I don’t like losing football matches but it’s as well happening now as later in the season just as long as lessons are learned .

“The most disappointing aspect for me was Shettleston bullying us into deviating from our normal passing game and kicking the ball high and long instead.

“We were hoping for openings rather than working for them and this failure to adapt cost us the result .”

If Shettleston were to top the Section 3 standings then it’s looking like Greenock will be their last eight opponents after Martin Mooney’s men chalked up their third win on the spin with a 6-0 hammering of Port Glasgow through goals from Craig Brown (3), Martin Orr, Jonathan Donnelly and Darren Patten.

Substite Reece Pearson’s headed winner maintained Rob Roy’s perfect start while eyebrows will have been raised by Gartcairn’s 8-1 rout of Shotts Bon Accord where striker Gary Millar helped himself to five goals to go along with Chris Dolan and Yami Misanjo(2) counters.

Brian Jack and Josh Payne were on target to help Larkhall Thisle overcome Lesmahagow 2-1 and a Liam Sloan own goal enabled Cambuslang Rangers to win 1-0 at East Kilbride Thistle and go atop Section 4.

Neilston ran out derby winners over Arthurlie with Danny Sloney and Euan Clark scores while Yoker Athletic played themselves back into the Section Six reckoning after Mark McManus , Ryan Hynes , Kenny Marshall and Mark Maxwell were on target to defeat Ashfield 4-1 at Saracen Park.

In other games, Ayrshire duo Auchinleck Talbot and Beith did Junior football proud by chalking up 4-0 victories away to South of Scotland League opponents in the Scottish Cup proper.

Doubles from Mark Shankland and Stevie Wilson helped Talbot dispose of Wigtown and Bladnoch while Paul Frize(2) , Darren Christie and Ross McPherson were on the mark in Beith’s win against Newton Stewart that sets up a Bellsdale Park showdown between the Junior rivals in the next round.

WEEKEND RESULTS: Exsel Group Sectional League Cup Section One :Forth Wanderers 2 Lanark Utd 3, Larkhall Thistle, 2 Lesmahagow 1. Section Two: Gartcairn 8 Shotts Bon Accord 1, Wishaw 4 Nemains Utd 1. Section Three: St Rochs 1 Thorniewood Utd 2, Shettleston 2 Petershill 1.Section Four: East Kilbride Thistle 0 Cambuslang Rangers 1, Rutherglen Glencairn 2 Vale of Clyde 1. Section Five: Neilston 2 Arthurlie 0, St Anthonys 1 Benburb 3..Section Six: Glasgow Perthshire 1 Maryhill 5, Ashfield 1 Yoker Athletic. 4 Section Seven: Port Glasgow 6 Greenock 0, Renfrew 4 Vale of Leven 0.Section Eight:Rob Roy 2 Kilsyth Rangers 1, Rossvale 4 Dunipace 0. Ardagh Glass Cup.Section One .Dalry Thistle 2 Kilwinning Rangers 1, Kilbirnie Ladeside 1 Largs Thistle 1,Section Two: Saltcoats Vics 2 Irvine Vics 3, Irvine Meadow 1 Ardeer Thistle 1, Darvel 1 Hurlford Utd 5. Section Three: Maybole 2 Craigmark 2, Girvan 0 Troon 2,Whitletts Vics 1 Annbank Utd 2. Section Four: Lugar Boswell 1 Kello Rovers 1, Glenafton 6 Muirkirk 1.