Irvine Meadow gaffer Stevie Rankin has blanked all talk of a Scottish Junior Cup semi-final double-header against Hurlford United.

Last night's draw for the penultimate stage of this season's competition set up the possibility of home and away clashes next month against Super Premier Division rivals Hurlford.

However, Rankin steadfastly refused to be speculate on his club's chances of making it through to a first final appearance in 41 years.

Instead he remained intently focused on Medda's fifth round showdown at home to bookmakers' favourites Bo'ness United tomorrow and he feels his playing charges and club supporters should be doing exactly the same.

"Anything less might be taken as a slight by the Bo'ness camp and I don't want to hand them any more motivation than they have already," he said.

"Talk about semi-final opponents should be at the back of our minds at the moment because first and foremost we have the not too trifling matter of trying to overcome arguably the top side in the East Region this season.

"We had them watched in their fourth round victory over Rutherglen Glencairn last weekend and the reports back confirm they are a skilful and powerful side who are not going to be anybody's pushovers.

"It's a huge game for both clubs and I just hope we can serve up a decent spectacle worthy of the occasion."

Paul Maxwell, Mark Staunton and Darren Miller were on the treatment table, however Rankin reports their knocks are unlikely to keep them out of his selection thoughts.

He said: "I'm in the pleasant position of having a clean bill of health going into our biggest game of the season as even Chris Hall put in a double session this week as he battles back from his broken foot.

"Unfortunately this game is coming too soon for him but I'd like to think the knowledge he is likely to be challenging for a jersey before too long will pull a few big performances out of our attacking players."

Stevie also revealed himself unconcerned over the fate of Bo'ness stopper Stuart Hunter who is suspended for the tie unless SJFA beaks uphold his appeal over being red-carded against Glencairn.

He said: "Whether he is banned will not make the slightest bit of difference to our approach to the tie.

"We are at home so the onus is on us to attack and we intend to do just that."

Bo'ness will undoubtedly take measures to shackle Medda's feted striking duo of Maxwell and Gary McCann, however the Ayrshire outfit also pose a considerable goalscoring threat in the shape of midfield trio Shaun Fraser, Mark Thomson and ex-Albion Rovers ace Miller.

The 26-year-old Fraser has netted 10 goals to date and has established himself as a fans' favourite after initially picking up several red cards as he adjusted to moving to the Ayrshire big guns from Ashfield.

Looking ahead to tomorrow's contest, he said: "By all accounts Bo'ness carry a huge travelling support but Irvine Meadow's fan base is increasing week by week and their backing for the team is second to none.

"Supporters who had walked away from the club in previous years are now returning in droves because they can see the guys are grafting hard for the club. We fully appreciate having them behind us in our Scottish Cup run."

Asked why he felt Meadow had emerged as a leading West Region side in a season that was marked down as one for nothing more than consolidation brought a to-the-point quip from the midfield ace: "The simple reason is Stevie has gone out and added some top notch players to the remnants of the Irvine Meadow playing squad he inherited.

"And I'm not referring to the hard core of Ashfield players as much as the likes of Marc Twaddle, Staunts, Ryan Caddis and Darren Miller who have been every bit as crucial to the success enjoyed up to now.

"From a shaky beginning to the season we suddenly gelled and put a run of form together that has boosted confidence and now we don't fear anyone as long as we work hard and play to our strengths.

"Bo'ness United have been on a similar winning run so something has to give."

Eslewhere comes word of Kilbirnie Ladeside full-back Josh Mullen agreeing terms to join Albion Rovers at the end of this season.

SCOTTISH JUNIOR CUP SEMI-FINAL DRAW

Camelon or Whitletts Vics v Glenafton Athletic

Irvine Meadow or Bo'ness United v Hurlford United

Ties on the weekends of April 12 and 19

SATURDAY GAMES 2pm unless stated

Scottish Cup. Quarter-finals: Camelon v Whitletts Vics, Irvine Meadow v Bo'ness (both 2.30).

Stagecoach Super Premier: Cumnock v Pollok, Hurlford v Clydebank.

Super First: Greenock v Renfrew, Thorniewood v Beith, Lesmahagow v Kilsyth (at Carluke).

Central First: Benburb v Johnstone Burgh, Shettleston v Carluke, Maryhill v Lanark, Glasgow Perthshire v St Anthony's, Bellshill v Larkhall.

Central Second: St Roch's v East Kilbride, Port Glasgow v Blantyre Vics, Newmains v Forth, Royal Albert v Vale of Clyde.

Ayrshire District: Muirkirk v Annbank, Lugar v Darvel, Dalry v Saltcoats, Winton Rovers v Irvine Vics, Craigmark v Kello, Ardeer v Girvan.

New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup. Third round: Ashfield v Dunipace, Arthurlie v Kilbirnie, Auchinleck v Rob Roy, Cambuslang v Troon, Neilston v Shotts, Cumbernauld v Petershill.

Euroscot Eng Central League Cup. First round: Glencairn v Yoker.

Ayrshire Cup. Second round: Maybole v Glenafton.