ARTHURLIE surrendered to visiting Shotts Bon Accord at Dunterlie on Saturday, a result that drags the Barrhead side back into the relegation mix.

Lie looked as good as safe in recent months however a poor run, coupled with wins for the teams below means the unimaginable may just become reality.

A win over Kilbirnie on Wednesday or Shotts on Saturday would have sealed Arthurlie’s safety however poor displays in both ties leave them battling it out for their Super Premier status.

Saturday’s match started with neither side dominating proceedings. Shotts, short of five players, needed a victory to keep their own hopes of avoiding relegation alive and a succession of corners put them on the front foot early on.

But, the first real sight of goal from either side came from Lie midfielder Allan MacPherson whose strike fell just wide of the target.

Three minutes later Michael White in the home goal did well to get a hand to a powerful header from Chris Walker. Shotts were coming into the game more now and minutes later Tony Traynor looked ready to score only for Conner McGlinchey to get a last gasp tackle in before the striker had a chance to finish.

On the half-hour Shotts sub Liam Mushett had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring but headed over with the goal gaping — but the visitors wouldn’t have to wait long for a deserved lead.

Eddie McTernan then missed a chance to hand Lie the lead but dallied on the ball too long, allowing the Shotts keeper to make an easy save one-on-one.

With 37 minutes on the referee’s watch Arthurlie failed to deal with a Shotts corner. Chris Walker at the back post managed to sling the ball back across goal where Gary McStay was on hand to open the scoring.

Half-time: Arthurlie 0-1 Shotts Bon Accord Into the second half and McTernan went close again after two minutes.

But, five minutes later it was 2-0. A ball into the home penalty box say McGlinchey bring down Traynor and the referee pointed to the spot.

McStay calmly stepped up to double the visitors’ lead.

Alan Muir, Chris Dallas and Danny Burns were all introduced by boss Robert Downs as Arthurlie looked for a way back into the match.

Just before 75 minutes a great ball from Ryan McArdle found Gary Smith and his header was only bettered by Gary Whyte’s save to deny him.

MacPherson and McArdle then went close to reduce the deficit but Shotts, next week’s opponents in the Central League Cup, held firm to secure what could prove to be a pivotal victory in the relegation dogfight.

Arthurlie: White, McGlinchey, Palmer (Burns), Devlin (Dallas), Rushford, Blakey, MacPherson, Rafferty (Muir), Smith, McTernan, McArdle.

Subs not used: Green and Mailey.