DAVID GREIG insists he is taking nothing but positives from Blantyre Vics eking out a 2-2 draw to earn a Scottish Junior Cup fourth-round replay tilt against Newtongrange Star.

The title challenging Nitten, currently third top of the East Region Superleague had been strongly fancied to ease their way through to a last-16 date with Shettleston but hadn't reckoned on a battling Vics enduring to clinch a second crack at taking another big name Cup scalp.

Team boss Greggy says he was not feeling confident his players could put the bite on their illustrious opponents after a number of hammer blows befell them before and during the New Victoria Park encounter.

He said: "Not kicking a ball in anger for fully nine weeks was the worst possible preparations for the tie and not surprisingly Newtongrange caught us cold with a goal just two minutes into the game.

"And things only got worse when a couple of crucial decisions went against us particularly when one of their defenders escaped punishment for a last-man tackle on David Galt and at that point I turned to my assistant Scott Mills and said this is not going to be our day.

"But shortly afterwards Galty ran through again and was sent crashing as he rounded their goalkeeper who was duly red carded and unable to prevent Davie Green pulling us level from the resulting penalty-kick.

"Our lads then went 2-1 up through a terrific Brian Caldwell free-kick but the lead lasted only minutes before Newtongrange made it 2-2 and we then found ourselves under the cosh against the 10 men who were helped no end by a number of key refereeing decisions going in their favour.

"It was a no quarter asked or given contest between two big and physical sides but I felt Newtongrange were getting away with tackles bordering on the late side and one that caught Fraser Malcolm well after he played the ball looks like ruling him out for the next six weeks with ankle ligament damage."

Greig's ire did not improve after the break when Lee McShane was sent packing for two innocuous yellow card offences but a battling rearguard action ensured the teams will lock horns again at Castle Park.

Greggy added: "It's to our credit that Newtongrange are the ninth Superleague side we have come up against this season and none of them have beaten us over 90 minutes.

"But getting them back to our place does not make us favourites by any stretch of the imagination and it's going to take a massive performance if we are to come out on top.

"At least we know what to expect and a few of the guys will be in far better fettle after playing when barely half fit in the first game.

"Andy Sinclair was out on his feet after the 90 minutes and Ryan McGarry could only give us an hour but the purple heart award must go to our skipper Terry Hewitt whose grumbling appendix had him hospitalised until Friday yet you'd never have known from the way he performed through there."

Hoping the Vics come good at the second time of asking is bustling Junior hitman Scott Anson whose Shettleston side await the winners in the fifth round at Greenfield Park.

A bout of tonsillitis made the 25-year-old a notable absentee when his Town team-mates ran out shock 3-2 cup winners over Clydebank and he is hoping to recover in time to face Thorniewood United in a Super First Division clash on Saturday.

He said: "My illness flared up last Thursday and I couldn't risk going out less than fully fit and let my team-mates down.

"I still went along to cheer them on but possibly did myself more harm and I was unable to train last night and face a race against time to be passed fit for the Thorniewood game which is the only chance I'll have to prove my readiness for the Cup game.

"Taking on a big gun like Newtongrange would suit us fine as we do well when rated underdogs but at the same time an all-West Region showdown with the Vics would be a real crowd-puller. "

Meanwhile, on the lookout for a club is one time Dumbarton and Vale of Clyde goalkeeper Ryan Mailey who was on the books of Lanark United earlier this season before work commitments forced him to quit. The 21-year-old can be contacted on 07914531356.

And it's looking more and more like Petershill winger Mark Lamont's days in the Juniors are numbered after Partick Thistle (he played for them last night), Morton and Falkirk joined St Mirren in the race for his signature.

SATURDAY'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 2pm unless stated)

Scottish Junior Cup. Fifth Round (2.15pm): St Andrews Utd v Pollok, Yoker v Lesmahagow, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Hurlford Utd. Replays: Bonnyrigg Rose v Auchinleck Talbot.

Scottish Junior Cup. Fourth Round Replays (2.15pm): Troon v Camelon, Rob Roy v Arthurlie, Blantyre Vics v Newtongrange Star.

Stagecoach League Super Premier Division: Glenafton v Beith, Petershill v Cumnock, Irvine Meadow v Clydebank.

Stagecoach League Super First Division: Greenock v Kilsyth Rangers, Rutherglen Glencairn v Irvine Vics, Maybole v Largs Thistle, Neilston v Cumbernauld Utd, Thorniewood Utd v Shettleston.

Stagecoach League Central First Division: Benburb v Lanark Utd, Dunipace v Carluke Rovers, Ashfield v Wishaw, St Anthony's v Maryhill, Vale of Clyde v Renfrew, Larkhall Thistle v Bellshill Athletic.

Stagecoach League Central Second Division: Forth v Cambuslang Rangers, Newmains Utd v Rossvale, Johnstone Burgh v St Roch's, Port Glasgow v Royal Albert, East Kilbride Thistle v Vale of Leven.

Stagecoach League Ayrshire District: Girvan v Kilwinning Rangers, Lugar Boswell v Saltcoats Vics, Kello Rovers v Winton Rovers, Whitletts Vics v Muirkirk, Dalry Thistle v Annbank Utd, Darvel v Craigmark.