Lie’s unbeaten start to the season was brought to an abrupt halt on Saturday courtesy of a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Hurlford.

Tricky ties with Troon and Auchinleck Talbot now loom large on the horizon, and Aitchison insists they will need to improve on Saturday’s performance.

He told Barrhead Sport: “I don’t think we got going at all against Hurlford. They took charge early on and we found it very difficult to break them down and create anything.

“It was a good test to see how far we’ve come and we done ok, but we contributed to our own downfall at times and lost the ball at crucial times.

“I don’t believe there are any easy games at this level, but it doesn’t get any easier in the next couple of weeks. Troon away is a difficult place to go and Talbot is always hard, everyone knows that.

“But everyone is capable of taking points off each other — look at Talbot losing to Rob Roy on Saturday, nobody would have predicted that.” Despite defeat on Saturday, Aitchison is certain his side will push on once again.

Seeing them each week in training, the coach is happy with what he sees.

He added: “The guys are working really hard and for one another.

“Everyone is wanting the club to do well, no more so than the players, and they are putting the work in.” Hurlford’s decisive second goal came with a hint of controversy, with the Arthurlie defence claiming for offside.

Following a discussion with his linesman, referee Stephen Brown, decided to award the goal anyway, sparking angry scenes come the half-time whistle.

Aitchison admitted it was a frustrating decision, but one the side had to take on the chin.

He said: “From where we were the linesman has clearly flagged for something.

“Their striker Stewart Kean is standing on the goal-line, and Conner McGlinchey has rushed out following the corner so he is in an offside position.

“Under the referee’s interpretation of the rules he says Kean isn’t offside. There are that many rules now offside is kind of a grey area.

“But we can’t do anything about it now and just need to look ahead to next week.”