The inference of the age-old Chinese proverb that says “the difference between a stumbling block and a stepping stone is how high you raise your foot " is not lost on Johnny Millar.

The Beith manager is well aware of the stakes ahead of his team going up against Auchinleck Talbot in a William Hill Scottish Cup second preliminary round tie today.

Nobody needs to consult the oracle to predict an evenly-contested Bellsdale Park encounter is in prospect given the vividly fresh memories of Talbot’s 2-1 victory in last Wednesday night’s clash of the Ayrshire rivals in the Ardagh Glass Cup semi-finals.

The midweek defeat - only Beith’s second competitive or otherwise, since their historic Scottish Junior Cup triumph over Pollok back in late May - irked the ambitious Millar even though he made light of his annoyance last night.

He said: "In all honesty, I’ve not lost a wink’s sleep because of Auchinleck beating us 2-1 in their own backyard through an injury-time winner when we were down to ten men and with a midfielder Tommy Martin playing in goal.

“The reality is it was a game of few chances with nothing to choose between the teams until a highly debatable decision to red card our goalkeeper Calum McBain for denying a goalscoring opportunity with just under half an hour left to play.

“On another day, a yellow card might easily have sufficed and the boost afforded to Talbot saw them going for the jugular and deservedly taking the lead.

“But our guys then showed terrific spirit to equalise with just minutes remaining and my thoughts were already turning to penalty kicks only for their new signing Dylan Stevenston to score in added on time.

“His goal was a sore one but I take a lot of positives from the way we played on the night especially as we have it in our make-up to produce an even better performance.

“Auchinleck might well claim the same applies to them, but I take heart from knowing Kenny McLean, Kevin McDonald and Tiny (Calum Watt) are fresh and raring to go after being left out of our starting line-up at Beechwood Park.

“It’s not inconceivable to think all three will have key roles to play tomorrow, though I’ll wait until closer to kick off time before deciding who plays and who doesn’t.”

Auchinleck are attaching no significance to their midweek success according to gaffer Tommy Sloan who admitted earlier.

“I much prefer going into tomorrow’s game as a winner rather than a loser and felt we deserved to just edge things at Beith.

"However, Saturday is an altogether different 90 minutes played at a different venue and with the likelihood of different team line-ups.

’Steven White, whose work commitments prevent him making midweek games, is back in our thoughts as are a number of other guys omitted on Wednesday night for no other reason than to inform me what choices are at my beck and call.

“James Latta has started the season well and was on the bench so I’m delighted to get through the game without calling on him while another boost comes from Graham Wilson’s suspension being served out.

“It’s always difficult going to play Beith at their place and tomorrow will be no different and everything is geared for a memorable showdown.”

Meanwhile, a slightly shortened Super Premier Division card is not lacking for intriguing head to heads, nowhere more so than at Newlandsfield where Pollok will be determined to avoid a third defeat on the spin when hosting the visit of a Troon side being openly tipped as title challengers.

Visiting boss Gordon Burns did his best to play down bookmakers odds while insisting his playing squad is considerably strengthened this time out.

He said: "Pollok will be going all out to get back to winning ways and that makes our task doubly difficult but we are not running scared of the challenge.

“Confidence is running high after kick-starting our league campaign with a 3-1 win against Kilbirnie Ladeside and we possess a lot of decent qualities as well as experience gained last season.

“The team is looking extremely strong in the forward areas with newcomers Ross Robertson and Ryan Nisbet having made such an impact that we were able to list top scorer Adam Forsyth as a substitute last weekend

“And we are every bit as happy with Ross Barbour who has arrived from Rob Roy with a Senior pedigree as a Kilmarnock player that is evident whenever he gets on the ball.

“Pollok are one of the teams tipped to mount a stiffer challenge for the title honours this season and hopefully we can prove ourselves capable of doing the same.”

Lok gaffer Tony McInally was incensed at his team’s display in their 2-0 Exsel Group Cup reverse at the hands of Rob Roy in midweek but knows a turnaround in fortunes will not be easily come by against the visiting Ayrshiremen.

He blasted , “Troon will ask a lot of questions of us that we have to answer far better than we did against Rob Roy.

“I stand by my players but they know Wednesday night’s performance was miles away from our capabilities and unacceptable for this club.

“Rob Roy looked hungrier and more determined and I could easily have made eight substitutions so I’m looking for a reaction from each and every player .”

Playing today: (Kick-offs 2pm): Scottish Cup. Preliminary Round Two. Beith v Auchinleck Talbot, Colville Park A.F.C. v Girvan, Threave Rovers v Linlithgow Rose, Banks O’Dee v Golspie Sutherland, Bonnyrigg Rose v Burntisland Shipyard.

McBookie.com Super Premier Division. Pollok v Troon, Cumnock v Rob Roy, Kilwinning Rangers v Glenafton, Largs Thistle v Hurlford Utd, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Arthurlie.

McBookie.com Super First Division. Cumbernauld Utd v Yoker Athletic, Renfrew v Irvine Meadow, Clydebank v Shotts Bon Accord , Yoker Athletic v Irvine Vics, Shettleston v Rutherglen Glencairn, Irvine Vics v Blantyre Vics, Maryhill v Kilsyth Rangers.

McBookie.com Central First Division. Forth v Thorniewood Utd, Larkhall Thistle v Neilston, Rossvale v Lesmahagow, Cambuslang Rangers v Greenock, Vale of Clyde v Bellshill Athletic, Wishaw v Johnstone Burgh, St Roch's v Benburb

McBookie.com Central Second Division. Port Glasgow v Lanark Utd, East Kilbride Thistle v Carluke Rovers, Newmains Utd v St Anthony's, Gartcairn v Dunipace, Vale of Leven v Ashfield, Glasgow Perthshire v Royal Albert.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League. Whitletts Vics v Annbank Utd, Saltcoats Vics v Lugar Boswell, Ardeer Thistle v Maybole, Ardrossan Winton Rovers v Craigmark, Muirkirk v Dalry Thistle.