LAST weekend brought mixed emotions for Shettleston striker Scott Anson following his side's 2-1victory over Rob Roy.

On one hand the 27-year-old was absolutely ecstatic at scoring the winning goal on his comeback after a 10-week injury enforced absence, however he was left feeling more than a tad deflated at the prospect of his injury woes flaring up again causing him to spend even more time on the sidelines.

He revealed: "My season has been shot to smithereens by a combination of a torn abductor muscle and damaged tendons in my groin which occurred when Shettleston played Ardeer Thistle in a Scottish Junior Cup opener back in September.

"I couldn't reappear for the second half of that game yet the initial diagnose put me down as having nothing more than a strain and I tried to come on as a substitute in our next up game with Maybole but lasted a matter of five minutes before ending up racked with pain so the upshot was I received an injection at Ross Hall.

"That was supposed to do the trick - but didn't - and it's been a case of rest and lots of cycling ever since to the extent of riding my bike to and from work every day until finally payday for my recovery programme came last Saturday when I returned to the fray against Rob Roy.

"The plan was for me to play myself back in slowly by getting an hour's action under my belt but the Rabs are a decent side so with the result very much in the balance , I played the full game - staying on the pitch even after bagging our winning goal with some 12 minutes left.

"Unfortunately I've been left feeling a few twinges and unable to train full out this week so I'm keeping fingers crossed this is just a reaction to my long spell of inactivity and not anything more serious.

"Brian McEwan is already scheduled to undergo surgery around Xmas time to cure his long standing ankle problem and he's not due back until February so I don't want to be joining him in rehab."

Like many other clubs, Shettleston are entering a crunch period for their cup and league ambitions with Maybole's visit to Greenfield Park in a New Coin Holdings second round tie on Saturday due to be followed by Super First Division contests against Irvine Vics (h) , Cumbernauld Utd (h) , Pollok (a) and Ardeer Thistle (h) prior to their last 32 Scottish Cup clash away to Clydebank.

Anson added: "Everyone in our dressing room is surprised at how well we have competed at Super First level after only winning promotion last term and now our sights are firmly set on having a real go at winning promotion.

"There are a lot of quality teams with the same goals not least of all Rob Roy who impressed against ourselves with their organisation and individual skills.

"It make our result against them all the more important because I fancy they will take a lot of points from teams particularly playing at home.

"Of course Pollok currently look to have one of the step-up places if not the title itself in the bag but they are not uncatchable by any means and you just wonder how they would cope if their main goals threat Davie Winters was to pick up an injury.

"Our guys have managed superbly without myself but I'm hopefully back on the scene at a good time as Danny Boyle is suspended and Ryan McCrone has just emigrated to Australia so someone needs to share the workload alongside Kyle Robertson."

Rumours have been rife about transfer approaches for the bustling hitman from Cumnock, Cambuslang Rangers and Glasgow Perthshire.

However, he snubbed interest from elsewhere in saying: "I'm happy where I am and our manager Hugh Kelly says he has no intention of letting me go so all I want to do from here on is focus on playing to the best of my ability for Shettleston."

New Coin Cup holders Auchinleck Talbot secured their passage into this season's last 16 with an emphatic 5-1 hammering of Larkhall Thistle last weekend where prolific scoring hitman Graham Wilson - he's netted 25 timesin competitive games - was yet again on the scoresheet.

Wilson & Co are in Super Premier Division action and looking to close the gap on leaders Irvine Meadow when taking on Troon - by a quirk of coincidence their opponents in last year's New Coin Holdings Final triumph and Graham will be once more looking to put one over on his brother Stevie, a mainstay in the Portland Park outfit.

On the managerial front comes news of Lugar Boswell plugging the gap left by Carlo Walker resigning to take up the reins at Maybole, with the appointment of ex-Kilwiining Rangers and Newton Stewart chief George Grierson and No 2 Kevin Deeney.

Scottish Junior Cup. Third Round (1.45pm): Culter v Falkirk Juniors. Third Round Replay (1.15pm): Kilbirnie Ladeside v FC Stoneywood.

New Coin Holdings Cup. Second Round: Ardeer Thistle v Blantyre Vics, Pollok v Hurlford Utd, Ardossan Winton Rovers v Glenafton, Vale of Leven v Arthurlie, Shettleston v Maybole, Petershill v Rossvale, Craigmark v Irvine Meadow, Beith v Largs Thistle, Kilwinning Rangers v Royal Albert, Cumbernald Utd v Glasgow Perthshire, Kello Rovers v Wishaw, Greenock v Yoker , Dunipace v Benburb, Shotts Bon Accord v Vale of Clyde.

Stagecoach League Super Premier Division. Clydebank v Cumnock, Auchinleck Talbot v Troon.

Stagecoach League Super First Division. Neilston v Rob Roy, Thorniewood Utd v Irvine Vics.

Stagecoach League Central First Division: Ashfield v Renfrew , Lanark Utd v Bellshill Athletic, Carluke Rovers v Maryhill, Lesmahagow v St Anthony's.

Stagecoach League Central Second Division: Port Glasgow v Cambuslang Rangers, St Roch's v Newmains Utd , Johnstone Burgh v East Kilbride Thistle.

Stagecoach League Ayrshire District: Saltcoats Vics v Dalry Thistle, Annbank Utd v Girvan, Lugar Boswell v Whitletts Vics, Muirkirk v Darvel.