Arthurlie manager Andy McFadyen believes every game is like a cup final for his players as they try to secure a place in the history books as ‘invincibles.’

The Barrhead team remains unbeaten this season after securing a 6-4 victory against Craigmark Burntonians on Saturday.

Gary Smith and Dale Simeon had Arthurlie cruising early on but the hosts hit back through Steven Tan and Ryan Caddis.

Lee Roulston restored the lead ahead of half-time, only for Ryan Connelly to make it 3-3 after 73 minutes.

The scoring was far from over, however, as Roulston crashed home his second goal and sub Andy McLaughlin chipped the ball into the net to make it 5-3 to the visitors.

Just as Arthurlie were enjoying a bit of breathing space, Tan got his second to make it 5-4 but Smith made the points safe in stoppage time, bringing an end to an exhilarating encounter.

McFadyen admits he went through a range of emotions during the match but was delighted to see his team come out on top.

He told Barrhead Sport: “It was like a cup tie, that’s the way it was going for both sides. The game had everything – fire, passion, big decisions, sending offs.

“It was a typical Junior tie that both teams wanted to win. It was a great advert but we had our ups and downs standing at the side of the park.

“A lot of teams will be looking at our results and wanting to be the first to take our scalp but, hopefully, it doesn’t happen.

“It’s like a cup final every game for us because teams want to be the first to say they’ve beaten Arthurlie this year.”

McFadyen also praised the “never-say-die attitude” shown by his players against Burntonians.

“I’ve got to commend every one of them,” he added. “If you want to go on and try to win leagues, you’ve got to go to these places and roll your sleeves up.

“These are hard places to go.”

It’s back to cup action for McFadyen’s troops this Saturday as they travel to Ardrossan Winton Rovers in the first round of the West of Scotland Cup and he hinted there may be some changes.

He said: “It’s difficult because you want to win every game but, when you’re playing so many cup ties and league games, it can take its toll with injuries, so we might have to look at using the squad.”

Kick-off at Winton Park is at 1.30pm.