DARREN HENDERSON is urging his Hurlford United players to dig deep and keep alive their hopes of keeping the Dyslexia Scotland Junior Cup at Blair Park.

Holders Ford won the coveted Holy Grail silverware for the first time in their 77-year existence last season, yet find themselves within touching distance of only a second-ever cup final appearance.

However, standing in their way are that most formidable of Junior Cup opponents - record 10-times cup kingpins Auchinleck Talbot.

A fiercely defiant Hendo admits to be relishing the prospect of a crunch semi-final double-header against his side's Ayrshire and Super Premier rivals, even though his selection plans for tomorrow's Blair Park first leg have been hit by a double defensive setback with experienced goalkeeper Ally Brown a non-starter along with Scotland centre-back Chris Robertson.

A waterlogged pitch causing last weekend's league meeting with Irvine Meadow to be postponed led to Hendo arranging a training session to keep his players ticking over, but even before warm-up exercises were underway, former Forfar and Raith Rovers No.1 Brown tore a calf muscle.

And the picture was already looking grim for commanding stopper Robbo, who has been unable to train ever since limping off with medial ligament damage to a knee during Hurlford's 3-1 quarter-final triumph over Pollok.

The 48-year-old team boss admitted: "It's a major disappointment to have Ally drop out as he's been at the top of his game and an ever-present this season to the extent that we did not hesitate in allowing our back up keeper Stevie O'Neil to take up a new job before Christmas that involved him working Saturdays.

"And, as luck would have it, he was down to do a shift tomorrow, so we approached the SJFA for dispensation to make an emergency signing as the transfer deadline has passed, but it would appear that ruling only applies in Senior football.

"There was nothing for it other than to snap up a teenager from the amateur ranks, but in the meantime, we had also gone pleading to Stevie on our knees and, thankfully, he has managed to negotiate tomorrow off on annual leave.

"It's a godsend in one respect, however it's asking a lot to expect him to have his eye in and be anywhere near his sharpest after so long away from the game, and I say that even though we have crammed a whole heap of intense goalkeeping work into three stiff training sessions this week."

Replacing the imposing figure cast by the giant Robertson is a much more straightforward matter for the Hurlford gaffer who can turn to Martin Brown or one-time Dundee defensive stalwart Neil McGregor, whose reinstatement to the Junior ranks has been beset with a succession of injury woes.

A pulled hamstring saw him limp off in last season's semi-final tilt with Irvine Meadow, and he missed out on a winner's medal, so it's ironic that an injury to another player has opened the door for him to come back into the scheme of things.

Hendo added: "This would be an ideal occasion for Neil to remind everyone that he is one of the best defenders in Junior football and I'm pretty sure he would grab such an opportunity with both hands. "

Hurlford's preparations for the first-leg showdown have been anything but ideal, with the Ayrshire cracks going into their most important game of the season to date without playing competitively since overcoming Pollok all of three weeks ago.

Hendo said: "I've heard people say the games being called off is a good thing as injuries are prevented to key to players. However. we didn't play and still got injuries, however you won't hear anyone at Hurlford offering this as an excuse regardless of who plays or not.

"We can hardly do otherwise, considering we had all the luck going last year and suffered no major mishaps (apart from Neil), and though not perfect, players are strong characters who have bounced back from difficulties before and I'm confident our dressing room has the quality to prevail on the day."

The former midfielder revealed a close bond exists with Talbot counterpart Tommy Sloan dating back to when they were Stranraer team-mates.

He went on: "Tucker's a diamond of a lad with a smashing family whom I got to know really well and the two teams share training facilities and players mix with each other most weeks, but you can bet the competitive edge will be there once the whistle goes tomorrow.

"Tucker and I wouldn't have it any other way and it's pleasing to see there is no bad feeling between the clubs despite our rivalry. I'm looking forward to a good game against good people, so may the best team win."