As an opportunity for dream debuts go, Kilwinning Rangers newcomers Finlay Frye and Carlo Monti could hardly have scripted a better one.

The erstwhile transfer listed duo were signed on Friday from Pollok and thrust straight into their new side’s Scottish Junior Cup clash at home to Arthurlie.

The tenacious and battling Finlay was understandably handed an engine room starting jersey while Monti’s match-winning abilities were held in reserve on the substitutes bench.

And with five minutes left to play in an often torrid Abbey Park encounter came their big moment in the spotlight after a slick Kilwinning counter attack from deep in their own half saw Monti released on the left side of the penalty area.

And he steadied himself before unleashing a fierce left-foot shot that diving Barrhead goalkeeper Kevin Macklin could only parry up and onto the inrushing Finlay’s head.

A decisive opening goal looked certain, but from point-blank rage the flame-haired midfielder tamely headed straight at Macklin.

And his blocking save allowed time for backtracking team mate Mark Blakey to unceremoniously clear the ball away from danger.

Experienced shotstopper “Paddy” found himself hailed by relieved team-mates and supporters alike for his crucial reflex stop.

However, the truth is he shouldn’t have been given an earthly by Finlay, whose miss was reflected upon by Buffs boss Chris Strain in his after-match comments on the 0-0 stalemate.

He said: "If Finlay scores then it’s game over, but I’m not too despondent about the prospect of going to Dunterlie next week for the replay.

“Arthurlie defended really well, with the introduction of the big centre-back Jordan Chisholm undoubtedly improving their team, and the result was we created very few clear cut scoring chances from open play.

“Going to Dunterlie, where the playing surface is so much tighter, will suit some of our players and I definitely feel we can go there feeling just as confident as we did coming into today’s game.

“Their supporters were celebrating as if it’s now advantage Arthurlie but we’ ll see.”

This exciting and hugely entertaining contest had a highly controversial opening as Buffs striker Ian Cashmore pipped Macklin to a though ball only to be sent crashing by the keeper inside the area .

It looked a stonewall penalty, however Cashy’s somewhat over theatrical throwing up his arms in going to ground may have caused whistler Mathew McDermid to think otherwise.

For he ended up issuing a yellow card to the striker for simulation despite home fans baying for a spot kick .

Kilwinning continued to press and striker Brian Boylan twice had the ball in the net before half-time but was rightly adjudged offside on both occasions.

The excellence of the visitors was most evident in their backline organisation and midfield hustling.

However, they also had attacking ambitions of their own but unfortunately when their chances came to win the tie , Darren Gribben’s finishing skills were twice found wanting.

Firstly, with 15 minutes played, he pounced on a horrific short pass back by Kilwinning defender Ryan Clarke to run through on goal and fire a shot past advancing goalkeeper Adam Strain only for the ball to strike an upright.

And just three minutes later a rare Strain gaffe saw him miskick a clearance straight to the unmarked Arthurlie striker who took the ball a few strides goalwards only to fire his shot against the relieved shotstopper.

These goalscoring attempts were the best of the first period and clear-cut openings for either side were few and far between throughout a competitive second half.

Then came Kilwinning’s late flurry which brought an opening for Ben Lewis - who fired high over the crossbar - and Finlay’s headed chance.

Arthurlie gaffer Stevie Kerrigan said: "It would have been a travesty to lose as we deserved no worse than a draw on the day and might have won if Darren had stuck away one of his chances.

“Kilwinning are a top side so the tie is anything but over however I take comfort from knowing we can still play a lot better than we showed out there today when at times we made simple passes look clumsy.

“Composure in the final third was lacking but I’m already relishing the prospect of next week’s replay and I know my players are of the same frame of mind . “

In other ties , last season’s beaten finalists Pollok were comfortable 4-0 winners at home to Glentanar through Mark Daly)2) , Mark Sideserf and Gary McCann goals while Petershill came from behind for Paul Finnigan (pen) and Stuart Mccann to seal a 2-1 success at home to Dalkeith Thistle.

Rob Roy made it 16 wins on the spin with a 4-0 defeat of Colony Park and Shettleston had Ryan Scott and Peter Weatherson on target in a 2-0 triumph over Montrose Roselea while Jordan McLean and Fraser Malcolm shared the scoring honours to help Glasgow Perthshire emerge as 2-1 winners away to Kinnoul.

Glenafton thrashed Livingston United by an 8-1 scoreline, Irvine Vics shocked Yoker Athletic by winning 3-2 at Holm Park and eleven times Scottish winners Auchinleck Talbot had Mark Shankland and Craig McCracken goals to thank for a hard fought 2-1 victory over Annbank United.

One of the day’s most bizarre outcomes came at New Western Park where Renfrew won 6-4 against Bathgate Thistle in a see-saw affair of three penalty kicks for the home side and a half-time scoreline reading 5-4 in their favour.

Chris Zok netted a hat trick ,inclusive of two spot kicks along with Scott Morton and Anton Heffron counters for the Frew in that astonishing 45 minutes and Kierion Healy bagged the only goal of a secomd half that also saw Zok miss from the spot.

WEEKEND RESULTS: William Hill Scottish Cup. Second Round(Various): BSC Glasgow 0 Beith 1, Bonnyrigg Rose 2 Cove Rangers 1 Formartine Utd 2 Banks O’Dee 2, Linlithgow Rose 0 Stirling Albion 3.Scottish Junior Cup.

Second Round: Forfar Albion 0 Blackburn Utd 11, Downfield 1 Nairn St Ninians 0.Yoker Athletic 2 Irvine Vics 3, Dundee North End 5 Wishaw 0, Petershill 2 Dalkeith Thistle 1, Tranent 4 Longside 3, Hall Russell Utd 0 Maybole 2, Jeanfield Swifts 1 St. Andrews Utd 0, Pollok 4 Glentanar 0, Craigmark 0 Penicuik Athletic 4, Forfar West End 0 Culter 2, Arbroath Vics 3 Whitburn 4, Lewis Utd 1 Rosyth 3, Darvel 1 Ardrossan Winton Rovers 1, Greenock 2 Vale of Leven 1, Irvine Meadow 4 Oakley Utd 0, Burghead Thistle 0 Stonehaven 3,Islavale 9 Fochabers 0,West Calder Utd 0 Arniston Rangers 2,Lanark Utd 0 Neilston 0,Dundee Violet 5 Blairgowrie 1, Johnstone Burgh 1 Broughty Athletic 2, Coupar Angus 3 ForthWanderers 5, Luncarty 4 Fraserburgh Utd 1, Kello Rovers 1 Carnoustie Panmure 2, Cumbernauld Utd 2 Rutherglen Glencairn 1, Kilwinning Rangers 0 Arthurlie 0, Dunbar Utd 5 Kennoway Star Hearts 0, Lochore Welfare 0 Kilsyth Rangers 4, Kirriemuir Thistle 3 Whitletts Vics 1,

Inverness City 3 Scone Thistle 5,Glenafton 8 Livingston Utd 1, Kinnoull 1 Glasgow Perthshire 2,Lochee Harp 3 Maryhill 5,Ashfield 1 Stoneyburn 1, Port Glasgow 1 Thorniewood Utd 1, Glenrothes 1 Hill O’Beath 6, Newmains Utd 1 Hermes 1, Fauldhouse Utd 5 St Anthony's 0, Kelty Hearts 6 Aberdeen University1,Aberdeen East End 0 Lochee Utd 6, East Kilbride Thistle 3 Forres Thistle 1, Annbank Utd 1 Auchinleck Talbot 2, Shettleston 2 Montrose Roselea 0,Edinburgh Utd 3 Dunipace 1,Royal Albert 1 Larkhall Thistle 3,Shotts Bon Accord 3 Haddington Athletic 3, Gartcairn 5 Newmachar 0, Blantyre Vics 2 Tayport 0, Benburb 5 Dyce 3, Colony Park 0 Rob Roy 4, Dufftown 3 Pumpherston, 2 ,Maud 5 Spey Valley 1,Girvan 5 Muirkirk 2, Renfrew 6 Bathgate Thistle 4, Brechin Vics 1 Sauchie 4, Cambuslang Rangers 1 Lochgelly Albert 2, Musselburgh Athletic 8 Craigroyston 4.

McBookie.com Super Premier Division. Cumnock 2 Troon 0, Kilbirnie Ladeside 5 Largs Thistle 0.

McBookie.com Central First Division. Lesmahagow 0 Rossvale 2, Bellshill Athletic 1 Vale of Clyde 1. McBookie.com Ayrshire District League. Ardeer Thistle 5 Lugar Boswell 1.