ARTHURLIE boss Robert Downs saluted the never-say-die spirit of his players last night after they withstood a second-half onslaught from Cumbernauld United to secure a New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup semi-final tilt against Irvine Meadow.

A sensational Dunterlie contest saw nine-man Arthurlie - Alan McPherson and goalkeeper Mikey White both saw red in the second period - take a late battering from their Super First Division opponents.

However, their goal remained intact as they ran out 4-3 winners.

A foretaste of things to come arrived with just 90 seconds on the clock as Chris Dallas wheeled to fire home a shot to put Arthurlie in front but their lead lasted all of five minutes before a sprightly Cumbernauld got back on level terms after Dylan McGuigan coolly slotted home a through ball from Scott McHaffie.

Impressive frontman Gary Carroll struck the upright in United's next attacking foray and the visitors looking the more likely team to score was confirmed in 32 minutes when McGuigan chested a corner kick goalwards and Jamie Lyden in attempting a goal line clearance sent his header against the back of goalkeeper White and the ball trundled over the line.

Straight from the restart, Arthurlie equalised through a well-struck shot from Dallas and an unbelievable 45 minutes of thrills and spills were brought to a dramatic conclusion as a home team corner kick reached the criminally unmarked Kevin Green at the back post and his strong header found the net via the underside of the crossbar.

Any hopes of hanging onto their 3-2 advantage were quickly dispelled when the second half got underway with an equaliser from Carroll just one minute in after he got on the end of a Gavin Mackie cutback to cleverly pass the ball past White from fully 18 yards.

United's lack of physical prowess - commanding stopper Danny Boyle failed a pre-match fitness test came back to haunt them again when the tall Lyden made amends for his earlier gaffe in heading the Barrhead side 4-3 in front on the hour mark.

But still Arthurlie contrived to be the architects of their own downfall as first McPherson walked for an alleged elbowing offence and he was soon followed inside by White, who crazily retaliated to a challenge from Carroll that earned the striker a yellow card.

Phil Bannister came on between the sticks and a brave backs-to-the-wall display plus the crossbar keeping out a Scott Murphy effort ensured they won the day.

Downsy said: "I thought the guys defended magnificently in the face of incessant pressure and I couldn't be happier for them.

"The sending-offs left us with an uphill battle, but everyone rallied to the cause and put in a great shift to win the day.

"We now face a massive semi-final showdown with Irvine Meadow, but more of the same spirit shown tonight will stand us in good stead.

Medda ran out convincing 3-0 winners over Ayrshire rivals Ardrossan Winton Rovers thanks to strikes from Paul Maxwell, Lee McRae own goal and Ryan Deas.

Wishaw Juniors produced a shock upset in the other half of the draw by overcoming Pollok 1-0 thanks to a goal from pacy forward Michael Collinder and the Lanarkshire outfit's reward is a last-four head-to-head with Kilwinning Rangers who thrashed Benburb by an 8-1 scoreline.

Consolation for Pollok supporters came from news filtering through confirming they are Super First Division champions after nearest challengers Rob Roy went down 1-0 away to Greenock, for whom Craig Brown was the matchwinner.

Yoker Athletic boosted their hopes of avoiding the drop as Steff Reilly and Gary Arbuckle(2) were on target in a 3-0 victory over bottom markers Thorniewood United.

Blantyre Vics closed the gap on Central First Division leaders Bellshill Athletic to seven points (Vics have four games in hand) after David Galt netted the only goal of the game away to Lanark United.

LAST NIGHT'S RESULTS: New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup quarter-finals: Kilwinning Rangers 8 Benburb 1, Wishaw 1 Pollok 0, Ardrossan Winton Rovers 0 Irvine Meadow 3, Arthurlie 4 Cumbernauld Utd 3.

Ayrshire Cup quarter-finals: Troon 1 Irvine Vics 2.

Second Round. Cumnock 0 Hurlford Utd 2.

Stagecoach Leagues Super First Division: Rob Roy 0 Greenock 1, Yoker 4 Thorniewood Utd 0.

Stagecoach Leagues Central First Division: Lanark Utd 0 Blantyre Vics 1, Larkhall Thistle 1 St Anthony's 0.

Stagecoach Leagues Central Second Division: Johnstone Burgh 2 Port Glasgow 1.