Arthurlie started their Premier Division season with a draw at newly promoted Girvan on Saturday writes Robert Burns.

The game started with neither team able to take control at Hamilton Park.

After little in the way of chances in the first 30 minutes, Arthurlie got their noses in front. Macauley Wilson was brought down on the left but the referee played advantage and when Marc McKenzie gathered he fired over a cross that saw Michael Daly rise highest to head home the opener.

But the Barrhead side only kept their lead for four minutes. A long ball found Doolan unmarked inside the Arthurlie area and he headed home the equaliser.

Girvan looked to have a strong claim for a penalty soon after but their protests were waved away. Lie goalkeeper Anton Nugent was called upon when Dinwoodie sent in a dangerous ball but he got up first and took well.

In the second half Chris Lennon replaced Alex Wyper for Lie and he almost had an immediate impact. Kieran McAleenan fed the ball down the right and Lennon used his pace to get past two defenders before shooting low across the face of Johnstone’s goal, but the ball came back off the far post before being cleared.

Arthurlie upped their game now and McKenzie had a shot with the outside of his boot that Johnstone managed to flick onto his crossbar, the ball bounced down on the goal line and as Lennon dived in to try and stab it home Johnstone managed to get there first and smother the ball.

Wilson and Chris Walker made way for Kieran Brenan and Steven Weir as Lie manager Chris Mackie looked to freshen things up, but it was the home side who had two good opportunities soon after.

David Cunningham shot wide from close range then almost immediately the same player forced Nugent into a decent save.

Jamie Lindsay brought out a fantastic save from Johnstone at the other end when he got on the end of a McKenzie cross. Then McKenzie himself had a shot saved be the Girvan goalkeeper as the Barrhead side looked to secure all three points.

With time almost up McKenzie had the game’s last chance but hit just over from the edge of the box.

Arthurlie: Nugent, Girvan, Wilson, Tart, Walker, Spence, McKenzie, McAleenan, Daly, Lindsay, and Wyper.

Subs: Graham, Brennan, Weir, Paul, and Lennon.