Arthurlie's promotion hopes were dealt a serious blow last night after they were held to a 2-2 draw away to Cumbernauld.

With Wednesday night's game between Cumbernauld United and Arthurlie a must win for both teams, the resulting draw all but put fifth placed Rossvale in the driving seat for the third promotion spot.

Lie still currently sit in third spot but the share of the spoils at Guys Meadow Stadium handed the advantage to Rossvale who now sit two points behind but with two games in hand.

Duncan Sinclair's side got off to the dream start, opening the scoring with just one minute on the clock after James Marks reacted first after a goal line clearance to bundle it over the line.

READ MORE: Lie boss confident ahead of 'season-defining' Cumby clash

But, rather than build on their fantastic opener, the visitors seemed to fall completely out of the game with Cumby quickly levelling through ex-Lie player Kieran McAleenan who fired home from the edge of the area to leave James Digney no chance before going on to dominate the remainder of the first-half.

Sinclair revealed last week that his depleted side were down to the bare bones and they seemed to be running on empty, chasing shadows and second to every ball.

Digney then had to be at his very best to deny a powerful effort from Tony Stevenson, but the home side didn't have to wait long for the opener. Hal Bohme squandered possession in the middle of the park which allowed Conor Scullion to get on the end of a through ball to prod it beyond Digney.

The hosts should have added a third after the break when Niall Reynolds, in trying to clear the danger, kicked the ball high into his own six-yard box which again allowed Scullion the chance to nip in but Digney was somehow up to it this time to keep Lie in it.

Barrhead News: Lie's promotion hopes up in the air after Cumby draw with Rossvale now in the driving seatLie's promotion hopes up in the air after Cumby draw with Rossvale now in the driving seat

Josh Payne and Jamie Docherty were introduced on the hour mark with Sinclair switching to a back three in a move that seemed to kick-start Arthurlie with Payne almost setting up an equaliser moments after coming on.

There was no time to rue the missed chance, however, as the visitors hauled themselves level seconds later with Dan McKay showing strength to hold up play before showing great awareness to flick an exquisite ball inside to find Lee Roulston who in turn chipped it into the mix where Docherty was waiting to head home the leveller.

Arthurlie were well on top now and went close to going ahead only for Roulston's effort to go inches wide.

Just as Lie were looking like they could nick it at the death, Cumby were handed a golden opportunity on 90 minutes when Digney was adjudged to have brought down Stevenson in the box.

Stevenson stepped up and placed a decent spot-kick but Digney got a hand to it, pushing it away to safety to atone for the foul.

There was to be even more drama in injury time, however, as Arthurlie looked like they had snatched it when a dangerous cross into the box saw both Docherty and Marks go for the same ball which bounced narrowly wide and with it the game as Arthurlie's promotion hopes were dealt a serious blow.

READ MORE: Duncan Sinclair praises his side after Larkhall win keeps promotion hopes alive

Arthurlie's final league match of the season this Saturday sees them welcome Kilsyth Rangers to Dunterlie Park with Lie now relying on results elsewhere going their way in order to clinch promotion. Kick-off 2pm.

Cumbernauld United: Trialist, Benton, Stevenson, Law, R McCabe, P McCabe, Stevenson, Callander, Scullion, Hall, and McAleenan.

Subs: Kennedy, Clarke, Cunningham, Murphy, and Wilson.

Arthurlie: Digney, Etherson, Reid, Reynolds, Mushet, Molloy, Bohme, Roulston, Marks, McKay, and McNab.

Subs: Bradley, Docherty, Payne, Urquhart, and McLaren.

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