‘Lie stuttered towards the full-time whistle on Saturday with an uninspiring 1-1 draw at Dunterlie, Chris Dallas’ penalty proving decisive. And Downs insisted he will expect a lot better when the two sides meet yet again this weekend.

He told Barrhead Sport: “It was a tough game from our point of view but there were a lot of reasons for that.

“We knew Rob Roy were a good side, but we were just lacking a bit of match sharpness, though we worked hard and had some good ideas.

“All things considered I’m 100 per cent sure we will be a lot better next week. I know it wasn’t the greatest performance, we gave away an easy goal and got a man sent off, but I am just happy we are still in the tie.” However, Arthurlie will be without centre back Rhys Devlin for this week’s clash with Stewart Maxwell’s side. Devlin was dismissed in the second half following an altercation with an opposition player and his boss conceded he had little complaint about the referee’s decision.

He added: “We can have no qualms about the red card.

“Rhys held his hands up and you can’t do that. We have all been there so I can’t be too hard on him but he has got to learn.

“He apologised to the boys in the dressing room and he knows that it can’t happen again going forward.” With his first match now out of the way, Downs admits he is still getting to know the players at his disposal. With new managers often comes upheaval but the former ‘Lie striker insists every one will get their chance to show what they can do.

He said: “In an ideal world we would have had a game before last Saturday but we will be back in training this week and have another look at the side. We know there are a lot of good players here.

“I have my own backroom staff with me, and I think Alan Waddell coming in last week gave the boys a big boost.”