BLANTYRE VICS boosted their chances of topping the Stagecoach Central First Division pile with a resounding 4-1 defeat of Lesmahagow at Castle Park.

Goalkeeper Kevin Macklin came to the Vics rescue with a couple of early stops, and they forged ahead after David Galt raced clear to slot the ball home.

However, Lesmahagow responded with a penalty kick conversion by Jamie Hutton for a 1-1 half time scoreline.

The impressive Galt - with his second goal of the game - put Vics 2-1 ahead and further scores from Davie Kirkwood and Brian Caldwell sealed a win that moved David Greig's men second top of the table.

Said the delighted gaffer: "Lesmahagow are a good team so we asked the guys for an extra effort and they provided it in spades with Mark Thomson and David Green dominant in midfield."

Gow boss Rab Irving did not attempt to gloss over his side's shortcomings in saying: "We competed well for 45 minutes, but never got going in the second half and caved in after Blantyre's second goal."

The big shock in the Euroscot Eng Central League Cup was the elimination of holders Clydebank by a Vale of Clyde side reduced to 10 men with just six minutes on the clock after Dean Currie was sent packing for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

The Tin Pail made light of their numerical disadvantage as Joel Kasabundi netted the only goal of the Fullarton Park affair with a stunning 13th minute overhead kick, and Ian Currie's men withstood all that the Bankies threw at them to take a notable scalp.

Arthurlie were another top-flight casualty after going down 5-3 in a penalty kick shoot-out against Dunipace following a 1-1 regulation time draw, while Yoker had Mark McManus, Darren Jones and Reece Pearson on target in a 3-2 defeat of Rob Roy.

Grenock ran out 5-2 winners over Renfrew, while Thorniewood United had Stefann Law and Chris Lennon counters to thank for a 2-0 victory away to Maryhill.

Euroscot Eng Cup quarter-finals: Wishaw or Blantyre Vics v Carluke Rovers or Greenock, Thorniewood Utd v St Roch's, Yoker v Royal Albert or Dunipace, Vale of Clyde or Benburb v Cumbernauld Utd or Forth or Petershill.