THE Super Premier Division continues to be a mountain that Hurlford United can climb yet never quite reach the summit.

But this season’s shock first-round exit from the Scottish Junior Cup where they have been serial semi-finalists in recent years might prove the lift-up that allows Darren Henderson’s men to be sitting atop the pile next May.

Ambitious team boss Hendo would love nothing better but he was canny in the extreme last night as he played down the Ayrshiremen’s title prospects ahead of Saturday’s trip through to face current pacesetters Kirkintilloch Rob Roy.

He admitted: “Last weekend’s second round draw taking place at Beith without our name being in the hat was a sore one for everyone connected with Hurlford United after making the semi-finals three years on the spin.

“That said, we lost out to a Lochee United side that played better on the day so we can have no complaints whatsoever about the outcome.

“The key now is to re-focus and look to bounce back and put the smiles back on supporters’ faces by stringing together a few league wins but that’s easier said than done in this top division.

“We looked a good bet to take the points when 4-2 up against Troon last weekend but they fought back to force a draw and could well have won the game but for an outstanding Ally Brown save in the closing stages.

“To score four times at home and not come out on top is so untypical of us but it could be argued that you don’t really know what to expect when a team is going through a period of transition.”

The one-time Stranraer midfielder was alluding to a raft of personnel changes at Blair Park over the summer months that saw a number of big-name players head for pastures new, headed up by Craig McLune retiring from football and highly-rated striker Ross Robertson electing to join Troon, while family commitments continue to rob him of the physically powerful Mitchell brothers Glenn and Danny.

Hendo said: “As if we weren’t weakened enough, Stuart McColm has picked up a debilitating viral infection and hasn’t played since we drew 1-1 with Pollok fully a month ago and big Chris Robertson has also missed our last two outings with a groin strain.

“Not to have our experienced centre-back pairing of Chris and Glenn to call on has been a huge handicap and probably accounts for the amount of goals we are conceding.

“Yet the upside is we had three 20-year-old’s playing against Troon – Darren Moffat, Michael Kelly and Adam Hodge – who were all at Pro-Youth level last season and it’s both pleasing and encouraging that they are getting game time to prepare them for going up against teams of the calibre of Rob Roy.

“They have started like a house on fire and to have full points from their opening four fixtures is phenomenal and puts our own unbeaten league start in the shade, however we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that a Hurlford victory on Saturday could see us move joint top of the table.

“It’s a big ask but my assistant John Dempster was watching on as Rob Roy lifted the Exsel Cup silverware last Sunday and we’ll know all about their playing strengths by kick-off time on Saturday.”

Rob Roy’s triumphant boss Stewart Maxwell revealed: “The celebrations back in Kirkintilloch were unbelievable and it was heart-warming to see what our cup win means to so many people in the town and community.

“Looking back now my only regret is not playing anywhere near our best but I put that down to a mixture of nerves on the day and Shettleston probing a very stubborn and well organised unit.

“Anyway the trophy only has the name of Rob Roy and says nothing about how we performed or the fact we played with 10 men for 25 minutes of the final so it doesn’t really matter in the scale of things.”

Red-card sinner Shaun Fraser will be suspended for facing Hurlford as might be skipper Gary McMenamin if he does not appeal his bizarre dismissal during the penalty-kick shoot-out but Maxi believes he has plenty in reserve.

He added: “We had three players Kieran Campbell, Liam Crichton and Amadou Kassarate not stripped for the final and they will come into contention for jerseys.

“We are expecting a tough 90 minutes against a Hurlford side who are on the rebound from their Scottish defeat and will even more dangerous opponents for it.

“Our guys were straight back into our normal routine by training on Monday night when we consigned the Exsel Cup win to the history books and got everyone thinking about nothing else but Hurlford United.

“Our supporters will be there in numbers looking for another good day but that will only happen if we win.”

Word on the transfer scene has Kilwinning Rangers concluding a loan deal for Stranrarer winger Sam McCloskey who is in line to make his debut away to Cumnock.