October is a pretty scary month for those who love Halloween …and it’s proving the same for Rutherglen Glencairn supporters.

They’ve been forced to endure something of a horror story ever since the traditional second month of autumn got underway with the solitary point gleaned from two league games.

That was followed up by their side’s penalty kick shoot-out elimination at the hands of Irvine Meadow in last weekend’s New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup first round encounter.

And if the old adage rings true that things get worse before they get better then a lot of Ru’Glonians will be fearing today’s Scottish Junior Cup second round clash away to Cumbernauld United who ran out 4-1 winners when the Super First Division rivals locked horns at the Celsius Stadium last month.

Stressing the need for lessons to be learned from that previous contest is anything but nervous team boss Willie Harvey who insists the Glens - beaten semi-finalists as recently as 2013 – can negotiate their passage into the Third Round.

Last night the long serving gaffer said: "Our defending was nothing short of sloppy in the last meeting with Cumbernauld when they put a total of five crosses into our penalty box and scored from four of them.

“In fact, it says everything about our performance on the day that one of our former players Davie Dickson and arguably the smallest person afield has ran away from his marker to put away a free header.

“And our slackness was also evident at the other end of the pitch where a number of glaring chances were passed up that would have made a different game of it.

“On hindsight we were taking on Cumbernauld in the first game after their manager John Queen had resigned and I think too many of our players were reading stories about their camp being in disarray and felt we only had to turn up to take the points.

“If we go into tomorrow’s game with the same mindset then we could easily be turned over 4-1 again but the other side of the coin is we are more than capable of winning this tie.”

The former goalkeeper added: "Having Rhys Donaldson back to full fitness will strengthen our backline and we are genuinely playing well with Ryan McGregor, Tony Fraser and Stuart Hall at the top of their game so I’m looking forward to the game .

“All too often of late we have been guilty of wasteful finishing yet I have every confidence in the attacking qualities of Fraser Team, Jay Mackay and Paddy Cullen coming good so watch us go if they catch fire.”

Among other tasty all-West Region head to heads , Yoker Athletic will be going all out to make home advantage tell against Irvine Vics while an indication of where Port Glasgow stand in the scheme of things is promised by the Central Second Division leaders hosting the visit of First Division title challengers Thorniewood United.

And local pride is at stake in the Larkhall derby clash of Royal Albert and Larkhall Thistle which goes ahead at Gasworks Park much to the delight of Jags boss Dunky Sinclair who believes the showdown will be close to call despite bookmakers making his Central First Division side overwhelming favourites to come out on top.

Sinky pointed out: "I can understand the odds because we were 5-0 winners in the only meeting between the clubs earlier this season.

"But what we played exceptionally well on the day and the scoreline does not reflect what took place.

“And another warning shot was fired across our bows by the Albert going through to Keanie Park and knocking Johnstone Burgh out of the West of Scotland Cup last weekend so they will fancy their chances of taking another scalp.

“It goes without saying our two former players in their side Alan Campbell and Jack Baptie will be fired up to do well against their old team mates so we are prepared for a real test of our mettle particularly in the early stages .

“Unfortunately, it’s looking like Liam Mushet will join Andy Brown as a definite non-starter while goalkeeper Davie Thomson is struggling to be passed fit.

“Thankfully, we have the experienced head of Stewart Thomson to call on and it’s every bit as vital that older heads Gary McStay and Mark Canning exert an influence on the younger lads around them.

“If they can help carve out a few openings then I’m pretty certain Graham Gracie will get on the end of things as he is probably playing better nowadays than he has at any time in his career.”

Taking place away from the Scottish Cup scene today is a Benefit Game for St Roch's attacking prospect T.J. McLuskey who is facing a long battle back to fitness after recently undergoing surgery to try and cure the debilitating onset of colitus, the illness which forced Darren Fletcher to quit playing for over a year.

The 22-year-old’s condition renders him unfit for work and St Roch's are being supportive by seeking to raise funds through a game against Clydebank at the James McGrory Stadium (Kick-off 2.30pm)

PLAYING TODAY (Kick-offs 2pm unless stated ): William Hill Scottish Cup. Second Round(Various): BSC Glasgow v Beith , Bonnyrigg Rose v Cove Rangers, Formartine Utd v Banks O’Dee, Linlithgow Rose v Stirling Albion.Scottish Junior Cup.Second Round (2.30PM): Forfar Albion v Blackburn Utd, Downfield v Nairn St Ninians.Yoker Athletic v Irvine Vics,Dundee North End v Wishaw,Petershill v Dalkeith Thistle , Tranent v Longside, Hall Russell Utd v Maybole, Jeanfield Swifts v St. Andrews Utd, Pollok v Glentanar, Craigmark v Penicuik Athletic, Forfar West End v Culter,Arbroath Vics v Whitburn,Lewis Utd v Rosyth, Darvel v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Greenock v Vale of Leven,Irvine Meadow v Oakley Utd,Burghead Thistle v Stonehaven,Islavale v Fochabers,West Calder Utd v Arniston Rangers,Lanark Utd v Neilston,Dundee Violet v Blairgowrie, Johnstone Burgh v Broughty Athletic, Coupar Angus v ForthWanderers , Luncarty v Fraserburgh Utd, Kello Rovers v Carnoustie Panmure, Cumbernauld Utd v Rutherglen Glencairn, Kilwinning Rangers v Arthurlie, Dunbar Utd v Kennoway Star Hearts ,Lochore Welfare v Kilsyth Rangers,Kirriemuir Thistle v Whitletts Vics,Inverness City v Scone Thistle ,Glenafton v Livingston Utd, Kinnoull v Glasgow Perthshire, Lochee Harp v Maryhill,Ashfield v Stoneyburn, Glenrothes v Hill O’Beath,Newmains Utd v Hermes,Fauldhouse Utd v St Anthony's,Kelty Hearts v Aberdeen University,Aberdeen East End v Lochee Utd,East Kilbride Thistle v Forres Thistle ,Port Glasgow v Thorniewood Utd,Annbank Utd v Auchinleck Talbot, Shettleston v Montrose Roselea,Edinburgh Utd v Dunipace,Royal Albert v Larkhall Thistle,Shotts Bon Accord v Haddington Athletic, Gartcairn v Newmachar, Blantyre Vics v Tayport,Dalry Thistle v Bo'ness Utd, Benburb v Dyce, Colony Park v Rob Roy, Dufftown v Pumpherston, Maud v Spey Valley,Girvan v Muirkirk, Renfrew v Bathgate Thistle , Brechin Vics v Sauchie, Cambuslang Rangers v Lochgelly Albert, Musselburgh Athletic v Craigroyston.

McBookie.com Super Premier Division. Cumnock v Troon, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Largs Thistle.

McBookie.com Central First Division. Lesmahagow v Rossvale, Bellshill Athletic v Vale of Clyde.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League. Ardeer Thistle v Lugar Boswell.