Michael White was finally beaten when a Jordan Ryan penalty ended Arthurlie’s run of 383 minutes without conceding a goal — he converted on 22 minutes.

The home side started well and took the lead in quick fashion, three minutes in Eddie McTernan cut inside before firing in a shot that was blocked, but Danny Burns was on hand to hit home past David Markey.

Arthurlie were awarded a free-kick after 15 minutes just outside the Darvel penalty area, Conner McGlinchey ran over the ball and Mark Blakey, making his 100th start for the club, hit a great effort that was only bettered by Markey’s save.

At the other end Blakey was adjudged to have pulled back Grant Kirkwood inside the area and referee Callum Haswell pointed to the spot in what was a very soft award, Ryan didn’t care though and fired the ball home to end Arthurlie’s run of over four games without conceding.

With two minutes to go until half-time the ball was played into the Darvel penalty area — Jamie Lyden made a great run to the front post to head home his first competitive goal for Arthurlie — putting the home side ahead as they neared the break.

That wasn’t to be the end of the first half action though as a minute later McTernan fired a shot across the face of goal and Burns was again in the right place as he hit home at the back post to increase the home side’s advantage.

Right on half-time however they were pulled back when Lyden was adjudged to have handled inside the area. Ryan stepped up to net his and Darvel’s second from the spot ending the scoring in a compelling first half.

Twenty minutes into the second half Blakey raced into the Darvel penalty area where he looked to be pulled down by Jackson Biggar. Referee Haswell not only waved away the Arthurlie protests for a penalty, he adjudged that Blakey had dived and issued him with a second yellow card ending his match for the day, a quite absurd call.

White made a great save from Murray Johnstone before kicking long, the ball was played inside to Chris Dallas who turned and fired home to make it four two.

Just before the half-hour Dallas hit another to increase the lead. That was to be the prolific striker’s last involvement as he and McTernan were replaced by Gary Smith and Alan Muir.

With 10 minutes to go Arthurlie got their sixth and best goal of the game, Ryan McGregor held the ball up just inside the penalty area before laying it back into the path of McGlinchey — who cracked an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box that flew past Markey and into the top corner.

Markey made a fantastic save to deny Smith right on full-time as Arthurlie ran out comfortable winners and ensured they will be playing Scottish Cup football in the new year.