Arthurlie boss Colin Reilly is confident his team can avoid relegation after recording their second win in a row since he took over.

Second-half goals from Gary Carroll and Lewis Magee secured victory at Dunterlie Park against fourth-placed Irvine Meadow to keep the Barrhead club five points above the drop zone.

An injury-time penalty save from James Scott also meant it was a first clean sheet in nine games.

Reilly told Barrhead Sport: “We played really well and I was delighted with the commitment the players have shown me so far.

“Our shape was fantastic, the midfield boys worked hard and Gary Carroll really put in a shift up top.

“Since I came in, I have said to the guys that I want to play on the front foot and really dominate games.

“We were really unlucky not to score in the first half, as we had a couple of really good chances.

“I told the boys at half-time they needed to show that little bit more belief and try to be a bit more aggressive in front of goal.

“They took what I said on board and, as a result, we dominated the second half and ran out worthy winners.”

“Our keeper didn’t have a save to make in the whole 90 minutes, apart from the penalty save at the end.”

The welcome three points followed Reilly’s debut win the previous week against Cumnock.

He believes his players are benefitting from high-intensity training sessions to boost their fitness.

Reilly also reckons his players have seven ‘cup finals’ between now and the end of the season as they try to maintain their Premier League status, particularly with five of the games being at home.

Next up is a trip to league leaders Beith Juniors this Saturday.

“We have a bit of belief back in our squad that may have been missing,” said Reilly.

“We won’t be going there to contain Beith, we will be taking the game to them. It’s how I like to play.

“We will give them the respect they deserve, do our homework and work hard in training.

“What you will see from our team is 110 per cent and the guys have bought into that since I came in.”

Reilly also wants to play an exciting brand of football and attract more fans back to Arthurlie games.

He added: “The focus is on just taking each game as it comes and get to that point where we are safe.

“No-one from this club wants a relegation on their CV. I know that I don’t. I have a winning mentality and want to make sure we keep winning and stay up.”