Arthurlie failed to take away a share of the spoils as they managed to pull two goals back but couldn’t find a third in a 3-2 away loss to Kilbirnie Ladeside on Saturday.

The Lie had strong claims for a penalty after a quarter of an hour when Marc McKenzie was bundled over inside the area.

But despite the protests of the Arthurlie players the referee waved play on and three minutes later the home side took the lead as Grant Hay managed to punch the ball clear but Scullion was quickest to react and fired the loose ball high into the net.

On the half hour mark it was Kilbirnie’s turn to claim for a penalty when a wicked shot from Mitchell seemed to hit the arm of Mark Blakey.

But again the referee waved away the appeals before Burbridge went close soon after with a low shot from the edge of the box.

The second half was barely two minutes old when Kilbirnie doubled their lead. A cross from the right wasn’t properly cleared and when fed back in Scullion controlled before teeing up McLaren to fire home.

Soon after it looked curtains for the Barrhead side when Kilbirnie netted their third and the best goal of the game; a textbook like pass and move which culminated in Anderson latching on to an exquisite flick from Scullion before showing great awareness to tee up Burbridge who tapped home despite Macaulay Wilson’s best efforts on the goal line. 

Despite being three down and looking a beaten side Arthurlie somehow came to life.

And just eleven second half minutes had elapsed when Marc McKenzie chased, what seemed to all, a lost cause down the left.

The ball went between McLaren and Hughes but McKenzie nipped in in front of the home ‘keeper to flick past him before gathering and rolling home into an empty net to reduce the deficit.

Scott Burns soon made way for Vincent Newlands as Lie gaffer Billy Ogilvie looked to freshen things up but it was the home side who threatened next, going close on a couple of occasions.

Wilson then forced Hughes into a decent save with a low drive from distance. 

And with five minutes to go Arthurlie were awarded a free kick on the right. 

Kieran McAleenan assumed responsibility and stepped up to hit a great effort that went up and over the way before going in off the near post to reduce the deficit even further.

But it was to be too little too late and the result leaves Arthurlie virtually certain of having to face the dreaded two-legged play-off to decide which division they will compete in next season.

Arthurlie supporters please note a change to this year’s AGM. It will now be held on Thursday May 17 in the 1874 Club inside Dunterlie Park, 7pm start. All season ticket holders urged to attend.