WISHAW JUNIORS front man Ryan Smillie reckons the manner of his side’s Scottish Junior Cup semi-final first-leg defeat by big guns Hurlford United has only reinforced his belief the rank outsiders can secure a place in this season’s Cup Final.

United midfielder Danny Mitchell atoned for his red card in the quarter-finals by scoring the only goal of a competitive contest at The Beltane.

And that narrow margin of victory has given one-time Kilbirnie Ladeside hitman Smillie belief that the tie is far from over.

And the 25-year-old has even more reason to be optimistic, given he had a legitimate-looking second-half equaliser ruled out by the linesman, who flagged for offside.

Smillie said: "Filmed highlights of the game clearly show I was played onside by a Hurlford defender when the ball broke for me inside the six-yard box but unfortunately there’s nothing that can be done about it now.

“Hopefully the injustice of it all can spur us on ahead of the second game which promises to be every bit as tight to call if Saturday is anything to go by.

“There’s no denying Hurlford were by far the better side first half but it was all Wishaw after the break and I felt we created the better scoring chances overall, but just didn’t get any rub of the green whatsoever inside their penalty box.

“The fact my goal should have stood sums up our luck and most people would think it’s something of a travesty that we find ourselves 1-0 behind at the halfway stage.”

Wishaw’s left-back Paul Burns, a Junior Cup winner with Shotts Bon Accord in 2012, is the only player in the Central First Division outfit’s squad to have featured at this stage of the game’s No 1 competition and Smillie believes his great experience could prove vital in the Ayrshire hotbed.

He insisted: "Nerves didn’t appear to affect Paul in the same way as they did the rest of us on Saturday – particularly in starting away the game and I can only put that down to him having been over the course before.

“Hurlford by comparison had a core of players from their 2014 Cup-winning team and they were much quicker into their stride and dominating possession.

“They were physically big and strong as we expected but our players matched up well – once we settled – and our heads are not down and neither are we fearing the prospect of another 90 minutes against them.

“Everybody is raring to go and I just hope the breaks even themselves out this time around.”

Likewise promising to have a real go from a losing position is Auchinleck Talbot gaffer Tommy Sloan in the wake of his side’s surprise 1-0 semi-final first-leg reverse at home to Lochee United.

Tucker said: "Our dressing room was a bit deflated as you might expect immediately after the final whistle last Saturday.

“That’s only a natural reaction to conceding a goal deep into injury time but we will talk things over, regroup and lick our wounds over the coming week before preparing to go again next Saturday looking to get a victory.

“Losing the game was harsh on the guys and the result puts added pressure on us – not least because the next goal in the tie becomes crucial.

“We now need players to want the ball as well as to show more quality in the final third and if we add both elements to our game then you have to think a Final place is still up for grabs.”

PLAYING TOMORROW(Kick Offs 6.30PM): McBookie.com Super Premier Division. Arthurlie v Clydebank,Kilbirnie Ladeside v Glenafton, Beith v Cumnock.McBookie.com Super First Division. Kello Rovers v Troon, Kilsyth Rangers v Cambuslang Rangers, Maryhill v Larkhall Thistle, Shettleston v Renfrew , Irvine Meadow v Darvel, Cumbernauld Utd v Rutherglen Glencairn, McBookie.com Central First Division.Blantyre Vics v Lesmahagow, East Kilbride Thistle v Glasgow Perthshire, Forth Wanderers v Shotts Bon Accord, Neilston v Thorniewood Utd, Port Glasgow v Greenock , Yoker Athletic v St Rochs

.McBookie.com Ayrshire District League.Dalry Thistle v Ardeer Thistle, Muirkirk v Lugar Boswell, Craigmark v Whitletts Vics.

SATURDAY 21st APRIL 2018(Kick Offs 2PM): Scottish Junior Cup .Semi Finals Second Leg. Hurlford Utd(1) v Wishaw(0), Lochee Utd (1) v Auchinleck Talbot (0). McBookie.com Super Premier Division. Beith v Arthurlie, Clydebank v Kilbirnie Ladeside , Girvan v Rob Roy, Glenafton v Cumnock.McBookie.com Super First Division. Kello Rovers v Rutherglen Glencairn, Cambuslang Rangers v Troon, Darvel v Maryhill,Largs Thistle v Larkhall Thistle, Irvine Meadow v Petershill,Renfrew v Kilsyth Rangers, Cumbernauld Utd v Shettleston. McBookie.com Central First Division.Blantyre Vics v Greenock, Lesmahagow v Benburb, Thoirniewood Utd v East Kilbride Thistle , St Rochs v Glasgow Perthshire, Forth Wanderers v Port Glasgow, Shotts Bon Accord v Yoker Athletic, Neilston v Rossvale. McBookie.com Central Second Division.Dunipace v Ashfield, Newmains v Lanark Utd, Royal Albert v Johnstone Burgh, Vale of Clyde v Bellshill Athletic, Vale of Leven v Gartcairn..McBookie.com Ayrshire District League. Dalry Thistle v Irvine Vivs, Craigmark v Ardeer Thistle, Lugar Boswell v Whitletts Vics.