KILBIRNIE Ladeside have been stunned by goalkeeper Danny McLeay walking out on the Ayrshire club after last Saturday's 5-4 defeat by Pollok.

Blame was laid on the 21-year-old for three of the goals conceded in the Newlandsfield contest and a half- time tongue-lashing from co-gaffers Stevie Swift and Mark Crilly and mockery from Blasties fans at the final whistle no doubt did not help.

Swift will replace him with former Ladeside keeper Kris Robertson for today's crunch New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup clash away to top-flight rivals Arthurlie.

The No.1 was formerly with the Barrhead club and Pollok and Swift hopes his return will help fans smile again.

He said: "Danny has made a number of costly ­errors this season but Mark and I have stuck by him in the belief that all goalkeepers tend to learn by their mistakes and get better as they gain experience.

"Criticism goes hand in hand with playing as the last line of defence when there is nobody to blame but yourself so it's frustrating to have him walk out at this stage.

"We are very fortunate that 'Belter' was available to come in against Arthurlie because the alternative would have seen us scrambling around the amateur ranks trying to fix up an untried replacement.

"The big fellow only dropped out of the picture earlier this season because work commitments were preventing him from training but he put in a couple of sessions this week and you could sense the confidence lift it gave the players to see him in the gloves again.

"He is keen as mustard to get into the action again."

Swift paid tribute to his forward-going players for their displays last weekend while promising changes.

He insisted: "Not many teams score four goals away from home in the Super Premier Division yet end up losers. Some of our attacking play was a treat with Michael Moore, Chris Hamilton, Chris Craig and Sean Pierce posing all sorts of problems, but Josh Malone's sending off caused a reshuffle which saw Sean ­substituted and we then found ourselves under pressure from a much-improved Pollok.

"Josh begins a two-game suspension today but Mark and I also think it might be the right time to freshen other areas of the team."

THE only other all-Super Premier clash in the West Cup is at Beechwood Park where Auchinleck Talbot, smarting from yielding their unbeaten league record to Clydebank last Saturday, will bid to make amends against Rob Roy.

It's an intriguing encounter at Brig O'Lea where resurgent Neilston hunt the scalp of Super First Division high-fliers Shotts Bon Accord. Also hoping for a giant-killing are Cumbernauld United, facing Petershill at Guys Meadow.

Pollok fans lending their support to the quest for survival points will head to Cumnock hoping for a first glimpse of Adam Strachan if signing formalities are completed.

The Ayrshiremen are minus suspended defender Stevie Crawford and there could be a recall for Stranraer loan signing Kieron Woods as Pollok look to bounce back from last week's Scottish Cup elimination by Glenafton.

Interim St Rochs boss Joe McColl will be in the dugout for today's Central Second Division game against East Kilbride Thistle at the James McGrory Stadium knowing he won't be there much longer.

The Provanmill outfit have local amateur gaffer Andy Cameron of Blochairn Star as manager for next season and ex-Candy Rock player McColl gave his blessing.

He said: "Work commitments mean I am only a short-term fix for the club so I'm 100% behind Andy."