By Robert Burns Craig Palmer was handed his debut and put in a performance that belied the fact he hadn’t played a competitive match since October as he played the full 90 minutes. Another mention must go to Kevin Green who after receiving a terrible head knock pleaded to be allowed to continue and also went on the last the entire game, bandaged head and all.

As with the previous league meeting between the clubs, Cumnock took the lead.

Six minutes in Paul Quinn ran from deep before shooting low past Michael White.

Two minutes later Quinn could and should have doubled his tally but from a great position the former St Mirren and East Stirlingshire man shot straight at a relieved White.

Ryan McGregor had a great opportunity to level the game on 23 minutes but headed wide following a great delivery from his namesake McArdle.

With 10 first half minutes remaining Owen Ronald went on a great run on the right before cutting inside and firing in an effort that White had to be at his best to keep out Quinn then had another effort that White did brilliantly to get a hand to, and when the ball was hit home from the rebound the assistant referee already had his flag up.

Into the second half and Eddie McTernan was first to be introduced with Alan McPherson following later, McArdle and Kyle Rafferty making way.

Just after the hour mark Peter McGill played a clever ball into Quinn who, when about to shoot from a great position, was denied by an outstanding tackle from Green to clear the danger.

Gary Smith was soon introduced, Paul Stewart making way as Arthurlie manager Robert Downs made his last throw of the dice.

Just before the half hour Green and Sean McKenzie clashed head on halfway, Green required lengthy treatment to patch him up before he was able to continue.

With the 90 minutes all but over it looked to be one of those days for Arthurlie but the players kept pushing and with two minutes remaining a ball through by McGregor left SMITH one on one with Ally Semple and he was calmness personified as he sold the ‘keeper a dummy before rounding him and rolling the ball home.

Well into stoppage time now and Danny Burns showed great endeavour as he chased a ball down from the halfway line and managed to get the ball off Steven Crawford right on the touchline before cutting inside and hitting a low ball across goal that saw Ray Montgomerie hit his attempted clearance off Semple and into the net to give Arthurlie an unlikely but fantastic victory.

Arthurlie: White, McGlinchey, Palmer, Devlin, Green, Blakey, McArdle (McTernan), McGregor, Stewart (Smith), Burns, Rafferty (McPherson).

Subs not used: Lyden and Mailey.