Arthurlie put up a good fight on Saturday as they lost 3-2 to reigning league champions Glenafton Athletic.

The improvement in attitude and fighting spirit from previous weeks was clear and brought some much needed cheer and belief to the Lie support.

The Barrhead side went ahead after just three minutes as Jamie MacLennan was upended inside the area and Kieran McAleenan made no mistake from the spot to get Arthurlie off to a flying start.

Just after the quarter hour mark it was almost two as James Marks chased down a through ball and McGarrity in the home goal raced from his line.

The players then came together as the ball broke to Marks left and, although he was through, the angle was too tight to even attempt a shot and the move eventually broke down.

Six minutes later another Arthurlie attack broke down and when Glenafton broke at pace Grant Hay had to be quick off his line to deny Chris Dallas from close range.

It was soon all square, however, when Ally Park scored from the edge of the area, but rather than dispirit Arthurlie it seemed to lift them.

And on the half hour Hal Bohme had a great effort from a tight angle bettered by McGarrity’s save, while minutes later the same player played a fantastic ball through the home defence to the back post but Mac-Lennan just failed to make contact.

Ten minutes from the break the ball was sent to the back post and although McAusland looked to slip the official pointed to the spot where Dallas sent Hay the wrong way to give the home side the lead.

Minutes later a quick free kick from Mark Blakey sent MacLennan free down the left, who sent the ball over to Marks, who then flicked it with the outside of his foot only to see the ball come back off the upright as the sides went in at the interval with Glenafton a goal ahead.

Five minutes after the restart it was 3-1 as Dallas showed great pace to get in behind the Lie defence before unselfishly squaring to Mick McCann who had the easy task of tapping home.

A save from Hay to deny McKernon Ryan was sandwiched between Ryan Scanlon and Mark Blakey being replaced by Jordan Craig and Dom O’Halloran.

Marks saw another effort come back off the woodwork before Hay did well to deny Moore at the other end then on the half-hour mark Vincent Haslam came on for McBride as manager Billy Ogilvie looked to freshen things up.

Ten minutes remained when Arthurlie pulled a goal back, Marks again was involved hitting a great shot that McGarrity could only parry and O’Halloran was on hand to hit home.

Arthurlie pushed for the late equaliser they deserved as Craig Buchanan rose highest to head the ball goalwards where O’Halloran gathered before shooting on the turn but McGarrity saved and the three points stayed in Ayrshire.

Another defeat but the improvement shown bodes well for the coming games.

The Lie take on Clydebank tonight at Dunterlie Park. Kick off 6.30pm.