ANGRY Saltcoats Victoria boss Derek Frye has hit out at refereeing decisions as his side went down 6-2 at home to Dalry Thistle.

Alan Weaver and Ryan McKie were both sent off in the second half and the manager was also dismissed for complaining to the referee,

Frye said: "It was the poorest refereeing display I have seen for a while. Alan Weaver got four studs marks in his back from a challenge yet ending up being sent off and I felt Ryan McKie's sending off was harsh as there wasn't much in the challenge. It was a close game in the first half and finished 2-2 and we played well.. But the sending-offs made it very difficult for us. We will take the defeat on the chin and move on. But it was a hard one to take."

The Seasiders on Saturday make the long journey to Perthshire to face Scone in the Scottish Junior Cup third round tie.

They can go into the match with confidence, having defeated Midlothian team Easthouses Lily Miners Welfare in a second round replay,

Frye said: "I don't know much about Scone but we will give it our best shot and it would be good if we were still in the Scottish Junior Cup after Christmas."

Meanwhile Dalry Thistle manager Gavin Friels was heartened with his team's showing in the win against Saltcoats and said: "That was just our second victory in the league and should give us confidence. It was good to see our strikers David Mills and Greig McVeigh both on the scoresheet and we scored some good goals."

Thistle on Saturday host Irvine Victoria in a re-arranged league match.

Friels said: "Vics are going well but hopefully we can take something from the game. We competed well against one of the other top sides Darvel although we lost the tie."