Arthurlie’s newly appointed interim manager Chris Mackie got his reign off to a winning start but few, if any, would have predicted that after the opening 45 minutes writes Robert Burns.

Before the action kicked off there was a minute’s silence to mark the passing of long time Arthurlie supporter Robert Nisbet, and also Jim Allen who was a long time friend and sponsor of the club. To further mark the day Arthurlie wore the last strip Mr Allen had sponsored for the club.

Kilbirnie started well and went in front when the ball broke to Forde from a corner and he fired home.

It was attack after attack and it seemed only a matter of time before the visitors would add to their tally, and they duly did.

A long kick from Osbourne saw Grehan climbing all over Scott Gair to win the high ball but as the referee waved play on Forde took possession before laying the ball back to Grehan who hit a great half volley past the helpless Hay.

Hay had to pull off another save almost immediately after the restart to deny Forde before things looked to get even worse for Arthurlie as John Gemmell had to be replaced by Martin Curren.

After Forde saw his shot tipped on to the crossbar and away by Grant Hay – the third time Kilbirnie had struck the woodwork – Lie pulled a goal back from nowhere. Eddie McTernan crossed for Gary Carroll to head home and reduce the deficit to 2-1.

Carroll netted his second early in the second half and then completed a quickfire hat-trick and Arthurlie were ahead.

Forde levelled the game after 63 minutes but Arthurlie kept pushing for another. Staunton and Lie’s Gemmell were red-carded following a difference of opinion – both having already being booked which reduced the visitors to visitors to 10 with Gemmell having already been subbed.

There were three minutes left with the game looking to be heading for a draw when Curren burst free on the left before crossing low where Jordan Leyden applied the finishing touch.

Arthurlie: Hay, McGregor, Blakey, Chisholm, Gair, Nimmo, Fulton, Leyden, Gemmell, Carroll, and McTernan.

Subs: Trialist A, Trialist B, Curren, Convery, and Nugent.