Demanding Arthurlie boss Duncan Sinclair watched his side ease past struggling Darvel 4-2 at Dunterlie Park and admits he was disappointed they didn’t score more.

Lie have struggled to find a balance so far this season, winning three, losing three and drawing one of their seven matches. 

The Dunterlie Park side have shown their class but only in flashes, following up record wins with back-to-back defeats, but they put it all together on Saturday with a comprehensive display against the Vale. 

Lie started on the front foot, creating a number of chances early on with James Marks going close twice.

It was the visitors who struck first, though, against the run of play as Sean Fitzharris curled a stunning free-kick into the top corner leaving James Digney no chance. 

Their lead lasted all of five minutes, however, as Sinclair’s men hit back with Jamie Gray’s inswinging corner catching the keeper out. 

Dominant in possession, it looked like the home side would kick on but it was the Ayrshire club who netted next after a scramble in the box. 

Jamie Docherty thought he had restored parity three minutes later when he lashed home on the half volley but his celebrations were curtailed by the assistant referee’s flag for offside. 

Just before the half hour mark, Docherty managed to get his leveller. Josh Payne gathered on the right before feeding Marks inside, he laid it wide for Gray who found Docherty with a great first time cross and the big striker headed home. 

It was one way traffic now and Lie got their noses in front five minutes later after a long ball into the area found Del McNab who made no mistake from close range to fire the home side ahead.

Darvel had their keeper to thank for keeping it to just the three goals after the break but he was helpless with 10 minutes remaining as Liam Mushet powered home a diving header to add a fourth.

Sinclair was happy with the result but has challenged his side to find a new level of consistency after the resounding victory.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t score a couple more,” he confessed. “I’m always critical if the boys don’t do things right but I’ve told them how well they done and they know they could have scored a lot more. Overall though 4-2 is a good result for us.

“We’ve got to keep building on performances like this now, but it’s still small steps for us right now.

“It’s a case of finding consistency with these performances and results now. When you get that along with the decent squad we’ve put together we’ll be happy.” 

Next up for Lie is a trip to Sinclair’s former club Kilsyth Rangers. Sinclair managed the Gers for more than two years but he insists there will be no love lost on Saturday.

He said: “It’ll be a good test against Kilsyth at the weekend as it’s my former club. I managed them for two years so there is a wee connection there, but that counts for nothing on Saturday - we’re there to win the game. I’d like to have bragging rights after the match.”