PORT Glasgow will take a trip into the unknown when they make the long haul north on Saturday to face Dyce FC in the third round of the Scottish Junior Cup.

Manager Craig Brown's knowledge of the Aberdeen-based outfit is limited to being aware they sit mid-table in the North Premier Division.

Unfortunately, he has also been left unaware of his own side's readiness for the tie after being denied a weekend fixture due to his team being odd one out in the 11-club Stagecoach Central Second Division.

Another blow to Port's hopes of making it into the last 32 for the first time in six years will be the absence of midfielder Paul Gordon and top scorer Scott Nugent through suspension.

Brown said: "There can be no excuse for these self-inflicted wounds as a result of picking up needless red cards.

"Nevertheless, it is galling to think Paul and Scott would both have been available for the game at Dyce if we had played a league game last Saturday.

"Their continuing bans are a real kick in the teeth, particularly the loss of Nugent coming at a time when Mark Bowie is struggling to recover from a calf muscle injury."

On the upside for the Port gaffer, young striker Steven McAfee has grabbed his chance to stake a claim for a jersey with both hands after scoring two goals in their last outing, a 4-1 defeat of Royal Albert. Brown added: "He linked up exceptionally well with Graham Black as a makeshift strike-force, but every one of our players contributed to a great team performance that day.

"They must have given the watching scouts from Dyce plenty of food for thought.

"And that is why I found it so disappointing that we were idle last Saturday and denied a chance for the players to build on their Royal Albert display."

The Port manager believes the old-and-young chemistry he has instilled in the dressing room gives The Undertakers a fighting chance of surviving their trip up North.

Brown, a former midfielder with Morton and Stranraer, added: "The likes of Gus Gault, Paul Coyle, Eddie Walton and Blackie have been around the block several times.

"They provide a solid core which ensures that we are not bullied in games - especially away from home.

"Their experience has been a godsend this season as they have passed on good Junior football habits and exerted a lot of influence on our younger players out on the pitch. Along the way there have been a few disagreements but nothing of a serious nature.

"The guys mix socially and get on well together.

"Hopefully they will have cause to be in good spirits on the long bus journey home on Saturday night."

Another West Region outfit facing an arduous bus journey north are Kilbirnie Ladeside, who face FC Stoneywood.

Due to drainage problems at the home team's own ground in Aberdeen the match has been switched even further north to Newmachar United's pitch.

It will give Blasties' co-managers Stevie Swift and Mark Crilly a break from Super Premier league duty after last weekend's 4-0 home loss to Troon.

It was their fourth defeat on the spin, so they'll be hoping for a turnaround in their form.

Swifty would only reveal: "We are looking for a massive response from the players."

Meanwhile, a nostalgic Blasties evening is planned with the Ayrshire club hosting A Night With Bobby Davidson on Saturday December 27.

The legendary former manager, who spent close on 30 years at the Valefield helm, will be interviewed by Archie Macpherson.

Ladeside secretary Gordon Ronney is looking for ex-players who played under Davidson to contact him on 07889403298.

Rutherglen Glencairn's reinstatement of striking prodigy Ross McNeil from Albion Rovers is paying dividends after the 23-year-old netted all the Glens goals in the 4-2 weekend win over Ardeer Thistle .

Willie Harvey kept close tabs on the scoring sensation who bagged 101 goals with Glencairn's 2012/13 Under-21 side and swooped to sign him when moves to Stenhousemuir and Albion Rovers turned sour.

The arrival of the free-scoring youngster has led to experienced front man Steven McLung going on the open to transfer list and Harvey has also agreed to release Gavin Ross, whose availability is interesting Blantyre Vics.

Clydebank have fixed up one time St Mirren and Ayr United frontman Junior Mendes who has won nine caps for Montserrat.