PROUD Ardrossan Winton Rovers boss Stevie Wilson praised his side for running heavily favoured Pollok so close in the West of Scotland Cup.

The manager said his team went "toe-to-toe" with the Premier Division outfit - only to lose 2-1 following a disputed last-gasp penalty.

Wilson admitted experiencing mixed emotions at the final whistle.

He said: "The club were great hosts for the whole day and we had youth teams from Winton and Pollok having a training game before the match. We played with great passion, hunger and desire and the least we deserved was a penalty shootout. I don't think Pollok should have had a penalty as it was just a collision in the box after watching the video although at the time I thought it was. The players were really gutted that they came up short after the game but we battled hard."

Added the boss: "We went toe-toe with Pollok and have shown we can compete with the best teams. We beat Kilbirnie in the Sectional Cup. But we will have to dust ourselves down. Now we have to prepare for an important league match against Wishaw and aim to take three points."

Beith manager Johnny Millar, meanwhile was pleased to see his team progress in the West of Scotland Cup, despite not being at their best.

He said: "We didn't play brilliantly but the important thing is that we got through."

The third-placed Garnock Valley side on Saturday host a Largs Thistle team, who sit fifth in an important league match.

It will be their final competitive game until the visit of Ayr United in the William Hill Scottish Cup seven days later.

Millar said: "Largs have had some good results and I've been following their videos but it's a home match and we must aim to take three points."

Beith defeated Irvine Vics 5-1 in a friendly on Monday, with Paul Frize netting a double and Thomas Collins, Peter Haggarty and Daz Christie also on target.