Ian Currie is convinced his Vale of Clyde side can live with the Central District First Division big boys - despite last weekend's first league defeat.

The newly-promoted Tollcross outfit have chalked up two wins from their first three games in an impressive start to the season.

But they are now coming to terms with losing 2-1 at home to Dunipace. However, the Tin Pail boss is refusing to believe that setback will see the wheels coming off their early-season form.

He declared: "It should be said our overall performance was more than good enough to get a result on the day. But, ultimately, we paid the price for a couple of glaring schoolboy errors in defence.

"In the Second Division last term we would have comfortably recovered from these mistakes, but a well-organised Dunipace were able enough to see the game out albeit helped to a large extent by the fact we contrived to pass up what opportunities came our way at the other end of the pitch.

"I counted three scoring chances that Scott McManus, who left us to join Clyde during the close season, would have put away in his sleep.

"But this is not a case of me crying over spilt milk. Rather, I'm looking for some of the other guys to step up to the plate and make their presence felt in the final third of the pitch.

"For the plain fact is our dressing room does not lack for players capable of firing the bullets.

"We cannot just rely on Derek Hepburn, who possesses sublime individual skills and is capable of moments of brilliance. He will score 30 goals a season for us ... but just not at this stage of his development."

Fullarton Park is again the venue this coming Saturday when the Tin Pail are determined to get back on track against ground-sharing tenants Bellshill Athletic.

And Currie knows his side face a difficult task against a team who are looking to rack up a third league win on the spin. He admitted: "Trying to take on Dunipace without five regulars in Conor Stevenson, Dean Currie, Joel Kasabundi, Gary McClymont and Stevie Howard proved to be too much of a handicap in what is a highly competitive league.

"We are keeping fingers crossed that one or two will be back in the reckoning for the Bellshill match, which has all the makings of a cracking contest with only goal difference separating the clubs.

"In many ways it's the perfect game for us after what happened last week. We've always done well when opposition teams have opened up against us and Bellshill will not be holding back. Remember it's their home game, so a big test of character awaits my players."

The Tollcross showdown is coming too soon for long-term injured Bellshill defenders Craig Gupwell and Sinky Soutar.

However, gaffer Robert Downs said Brian Connolly, Davie Shaw and former St Anthony's midfielder Gary McGrath are ready.

He said: "Gary figured in our 3-1 win over Wishaw and he will be all the better for getting 90 minutes under his belt. The other guys are just back from holiday and will come into our selection thoughts if they come through training tonight with no ill-effects.

"It's early days, but you cannot help but think at least five or six teams will be figuring in the promotion race and Bellshill can be in the running as long as the players stick to the disciplines of working hard and playing it simple.

"Vale of Clyde will provide a huge test, but it's not one we are running scared of."

Something has to give when two of the other leading Central First Division lights, Dunipace and Lesmahagow, lock horns in Denny, while Renfrew will be going all out to maintain their unbeaten start to their league campaign by lifting all three points away to struggling Lanark United.

All eyes will be trained on one of the pre-season title tips, Carluke Rovers, to see if Colin Slater's men can rack up their first win away to Ashfield and an intriguing Govan derby clash is set to be played out at McKenna Park where third from bottom St Anthony's host fifth-bottom Benburb.

Meanwhile, a surprise development has seen popular former Yoker and East Kilbride Thistle boss John Brogan part company with Broomhill Sports Club only four months and nine league games (four wins, four defeats and a draw) after taking up the fledgling Lowland League side's reins.

Club officials have wasted no time in appointing Iain King as Brogey's successor.