Yoker Athletic boss John McAulay is backing young striking sensation Darren Jones to get over the hammer blow of suspension ruling him out of today's Scottish Cup fifth-round showdown against Lesmahagow

The former Tower Hearts prospect looked to have earned a starting jersey in the Holm Park clash after scoring twice and serving up a man-of-the- match performance last weekend to help the Whe Ho ease into a 4-2 lead away to Maybole in a Super First Division encounter.

But the closing stages at the Ladywell Stadium were to prove catastrophic for the youngster and his team-mates as he was dismissed for retaliation and a depleted Yoker had to settle for a share of the spoils after conceding a couple of late goals.

McAulay said: "Darren was suckered by an experienced defender into reacting to a foul and now finds himself banned for the biggest game of his Junior career.

"It's unfortunate because he showed up excellently against Maybole and, although a cruel lesson, hopefully it's one that will stand him in good stead if we can make it into the quarter-finals.

"The guys are going to have to play at their best to deliver on that particular dream because Lesmahagow are nobody's pushovers, and I fancy they will be coming here feeling they can turn us over."

Gerry Joyce and Gary Bisland are another couple of definite non-starters for the home team, however McAulay is delighted to welcome back midfield battler Ryan Frew following a two-week injury absence.

He said: "Being able to bring in someone with Ryan 's great experience is a major plus and it also helps that he is extra motivated from being one of the guys wanting to make amends for last season's 4-1 defeat by Whitletts Vics at the same stage.

"A few months back we would have struggled to cope with the loss of three players, however the greater strength in depth to our squad is now paying dividends.

"No doubt the winners of our tie will be regarded as the dream ticket by every other team going into the last eight, but my players are only concerned with getting there and will take our chances against anyone."

Lesmahagow boss Robert Irving is hoping to scale new heights by leading the Lanarkshire outfit into the quarter-finals for the first time since he was a midfielder in the Billy Whitefield-steered Gow side beaten in the 1990 final by Hill O'Beath.

Irving said: "Back then I'd never have thought that all of 25 years would pass before Lesmahagow would be competing for a place in the quarters, and it's astonishing to think our striker Johnny Logan has put in eight years at Craighead Park and has already gone further in the tournament this season than ever before.

"Now just 90 minutes stand between the chance for him and the rest of the players to get their names in the history books and I'd love to see us grab it with both hands as a reward for all the hard work and commitment shown by everyone associated with this club through the lean times of recent years.

"Getting over the line will be far from easy as we are up against a Yoker side whose attack-minded players Gary Arbuckle, Davie Crerand and Greg Maitland are a bit special, but everyone in our camp is fit and raring to go, so I wouldn't rule out our chances of causing an upset.

"Logan and Jack Taylor form a decent front pairing, while James Coffey (four goals in his last two games) and Jonathan McStay are both capable of finding the net, so having goals in the team might just tip the scales in our favour."

Away from the cup scene, Super Premier Division front-runners Irvine Meadow will be going all out to open up an 11-point gap on the chasing pack when bottom markers Clydebank visit Meadow Park

Last weekend's 1-1 draw at Petershill has left Medda boss Stevie Rankin warning his players against any more slips if they are to maintain their title ambitions.

He said: "Missed opportunities are costing us dearly and last week was more a case of two points dropped rather than one gained and we really have to be looking to win today.

"Clydebank have nothing to lose and you can bet they will have a real go at us, so my players have to be prepared to meet their challenge ... or suffer the consequences."

Set to feature for the Bankies is new signing David Verlaque (ex-Morton), whose work commitments prevented him making his debut last weekend.

And it's believed another new face likely to line up in the Bankies ranks is ex-Annan Athletic midfielder Scott Davidson, who until recently was on trial at Meadow Park.

Meanwhile, supporters of Ashfield and Wishaw should note the scheduled Central First Division fixture between their clubs has been cancelled due to ongoing works at Saracen Park and will be re-arranged for a later date.