Arthurlie produce the goods in crucial game with Beith

Lie’s victory, coupled with Shettleston and Petershill losing, means that Arthurlie go into their final league game of the season at Hurlford without the threat of relegation hanging over them.

The next campaign will be Arthurlie’s 14th in the top flight. Having missed out on the opening season of the Super League set up only Ayrshire giants Auchinleck Talbot have bettered that feat, having been ever-presents since its inception.

In a game they really had to win, Arthurlie seemed a little nervy in the opening stages as Beith had a couple of half chances early doors.

But the home side soon settled and after only nine minutes they went ahead.

A ball into the Beith penalty area was headed out only as far as Mark Blakey who hit an unstoppable shot from 30 yards that went like a tracer bullet into the net with Grindlay rooted to the spot.

A minute later Ryan McGregor headed straight at Grindlay from close range as the Lie looked to turn the screw.

Just after the half hour Gary Carroll had an effort ruled out for offside but 10 minutes later it was two.

Darren Gribben took a corner on the right and swung it over to the back post where Steven Tart rose highest to head home.

Gribben went close himself a minute later but the sides went in at half-time with Arthurlie two ahead.

The second half passed without many talking points as the home supporters frantically checked their phones for updates from Petershill and Shettleston.

The final whistle came with no more scoring and the news filtered through that Irvine Meadow had beaten Petershill 2-0 while Hurlford had beaten Shettleston 1-0.

That meant Arthurlie were safe and the support gathered at the changing rooms to cheer the players from the field.

Barrhead News man of the match: Scott Gair.

Arthurlie: White, McGlinchey, Blakey, Tart, Gair, Nimmo, Devlin, McGregor, Smith, Gribben, and Carroll.

Subs: McGrath, Mackie, McTernan, and Nugent.