MARTIN LAUCHLAN says steering Rossvale to Central Second Division title success ranks as one of his "best-ever achievements" in football.

The former Partick Thistle, St Johnstone and Stehousemuir midfielder was speaking in the aftermath of his side's hard-fought 4-2 victory over Vale of Leven.

The victory saw the Bishopbriggs-based outfit crowned champions with five games left to play in their league campaign.

Rossvale's players took the acclaim of supporters and lavishly celebrated their club's historic first ever Junior trophy win at the final whistle - albeit without the silverware - watched by their proud manager.

Lauchy said: "Winning today is up there with any of my finest moments and all credit to the players who have remarkably had just one bad day at the office all season.

"We have enjoyed the challenge of getting them to peak on matchdays and nobody can deny the guys have responded in the best possible manner.

"We'll go away and celebrate tonight, but our focus from Monday onwards is to get through our remaining league games unbeaten and prove worthy Second Division representatives in the Evening Times Champions Cup."

Getting over the finishing line proved anything but straightforward for Lauchlan's playing charges against the visiting Vale whose spirited efforts might well have put the party celebrations on hold but for the finishing prowess of Rossvale's much vaunted veteran striker Robbie Winters.

It was Winters who settled his young team-mates' nerves with an outstanding opportunist lobbed goal in 27 minutes to cancel out Vale of Leven netting the game's opening score when David McNaught bundled the ball home from a right wing cross.

Partick Thistle loan signing Alex Cassells fired Rossvale 2-1 ahead with a suspiciously offside looking goal that incensed the Alexandria club's players and management and led to coach Scott McKernon being red-carded by whistler Rodney Marshall.

Vale of Leven again threatened to be party poopers when Lee McGeachy levelled the scores at 2-2 with a wonderfully executed low half-volley past unsighted keeper Jordan Bowskill with just quarter of an hour left to play.

But just six minutes later Winters sublimely curled home an 18-yard free kick awarded for a last man challenge on speedy Rossvale substitute Yami Misango that saw visiting defender Adam Monaghan receive his marching orders.

Vale of Leven's seasoned gaffer Hughie Hammill admitted: "Nobody has held a candle to Rossvale in terms of consistency and they are deserved title winners in my book.

"Our lads by comparison have lots to learn but I'd like to think we could be contenders next season particularly if we can fix up an old head like Winters, who is a class act at this level despite his advancing years.

"His finishing and link up play today was an example to any up and coming young strikers."

Vale of Leven's defensive resolve was now crumbling and a horrendous mix up when both Craig Cavana and Paul Nugent collided saw the ball fall kindly for Misango to whip home a 16-yard shot and seal victory and the championship honours for him and his team mates.

Arthurlie's bid to secure a Scottish Junior Cup quarter final place ended in disappointment following a 2-1 defeat away to Penicuik Athletic, who got their noses in front with a 35th minute Dougie Cunniston header.

Visiting comeback hopes suffered a bodyblow just six minutes after the restart when Kevin Green was sent off for picking up a second yellow card and the Barrhead men came further unstuck when a 68th minute Gavin Rushford own goal doubled the East Region side's advantage.

Ten-man Lie kept battling their corner and Danny Burns cracked home an 18-yard drive to reduce the deficit and set up a rousing finale but frustration at failing to get on level terms contributed to injury-time dismissals for Ryan McGregor (second yellow) as well as the unfortunate Rushford.

Meanwhile, it's as you were atop the Super Premier Division standings after all the main title contenders picked up three point hauls.

New signing Liam Finnigan marked his debut for league leaders Irvine Meadow with a goal to go along with a Willie Sawyers brace in a 3-1 triumph over Cumnock while goals from Keir Milliken, David Gormley and Dwayne Hyslop accounted for second placed Auchinleck Talbot's 3-0 home win against Shotts Bon Accord.

Stewart Kean (pen) and Ross Chisholm did the damage as Hurlford United ran out 2-0 winners against Beith while Glenafton moved up to fifth top spot after getting the better of Troon by a 4-2 scoreline.

Elsewhere, Super First Division leaders Pollok endured a first home game defeat of the season in going down 2-0 against Rutherglen Glencairn, for whom Dennis McLaughlin and Ross McNeil were on the mark and Carluke Rovers moved up to third in the Central First Division stakes with Ian Watt , Ryan Smillie and Gordon Murphy goals chalking up a 3-1 success at home to Maryhill.

And looking as if they will take the Ayrshire District League title race to the wire are leading pair Kilwinning Rangers and Ardrossan Winton Rovers after both posted crucial victories. The Buffs overcoming Craigmark 4-0 through goals from Ben Lewis (pen), John Bradford, Jamie Anderson and Bryan Boylan while the Winton had Ryan Caddis , Darren Miller and Ian Cashmore on the scoresheet in a narrow 3-2 win away to Kello Rovers .

WEEKEND RESULTS: Scottish Junior Cup fifth round: Penicuik Athletic 2 Arthurlie 1.

Stagecoach Leagues Super Premier Division: Glenafton 4 Troon 2, Hurlford Utd 2 Beith 0, Irvine Meadow 3 Cumnock 1, Auchinleck Talbot 3 Shotts Bon Accord 0.

Stagecoach Leagues Super First Division. Pollok 0 Rutherglen Glencairn 2.

Stagecoach Leagues Central First Division: Carluke Rovers 3 Maryhill 1.

Stagecoach Leagues Central Second Division: Rossvale 4 Vale of Leven 2.

Stagecoach Leagues Ayrshire District: Girvan 2 Whitletts Vics 0, Craigmark 0 Kilwinning Rangers 4, Kello Rovers 2 Winton Rovers 3.