DETERMINED Ardrossan Winton Rovers boss Chris Strain Snr is confident his side can bounce back from their first defeat in more than two months.

Winton on Saturday went down 5-2 at home to Super First Division rivals Cumbernauld United in the second round of the New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup.

Now they are fully focused on an important Scottish Junior Cup third round tie as they make the long trip to face to face top East Coast side Hill of Beath on Saturday.

The manager admitted his team were left with "mountain to climb" after the visitors blasted into a 3-0 lead and to compound their problems, Ben Carson was sent off for a second yellow card.

And while Strain said poor defending contributed to their undoing he could still take positives from the performance and said: "Ben's second yellow card as maybe a bit harsh but he had already committed a few fouls so maybe we can't complaint too much. To be honest we were left with a mountain to climb after they took a 3-0 lead.

"The first goal was a really poor one to lose as it was a free header from a free-kick which we should have defended and the second goal was a deflection but came about because we gave their player too much space on the edge of the box. I would also say our goalie Michael Wardrope could have done better with the fourth goal as he thought the ball was going past the post."

However despite the defeat Strain refuses to be downcast.

He added: "I can't really to be too harsh on the players as we had been on a great run of form and hadn't lost in a long time. It's also been a bit stop and start for us as we had a couple of games called off in recent weeks and that makes it difficult for the players. We also have quite a small squad and Bobby Colligan had to play despite having a knee injury."

Winton this week added to their squad by snapping up former Clydebank defender/midfielder Zak Burney and ex-Pollok Under-20's defender Andy Walker and they hope to make more additions ahead of the weekend.

Strain said: "I am talking to three players and hope to bring in at least two of them later this week,

The manager is looking forward to the Scottish Cup tie and said: "It will be a difficult tie as Hill of Beath are a big club and will see themselves as favourites. But we have had some good performances this season and will be well up for it. Hopefully we can get a result. It would be a boost if we could progress in the Scottish Cup, which is an important competition."