TOWERING Beith centre half Mark McLaughlin earned praise from manager Johnny Millar and striker Keir Milliken after helping the Garnock Valley side soar into the quarter-finals of the Scottish Junior Cup.

And Milliken and Millar believe their team can go all the way in the national competition.

A last gasp goal from the 42-year-old former Hamilton Accies skipper helped the visitors come from behind to beat Bonnyrigg Rose 2-1 in a fifth round tie at New Dundas Park.

Former Auchinleck Talbot Scottish Junior Cup winner Milliken was impressed with the display and said: "It was a great finish from Mark, he is a player we don't want to be without. He has played at the top level as captain of Hamilton, but it's great he still has so much hunger at this stage in his career. He's a really great guy to have in the dressing room as he keeps everyone going and he's such a character. Bonnyrigg is a really tough place to go and it was a good result, we would like a home tie in the quarter-finals but don't fear anyone and hopefully we can go all the way."

Added Millar: "It was a big win, I thought we were heading for a replay and would have taken that but it was a great winner - only Mark McLaughlin would come up with a header like that. It was good to see Kenny McLean coming back after a long spell with injury. I think we can win the cup but we would like a tie at home to a team we don't normally play in the quarter-finals."

Saturday sees the Garnock Valley club return to the bread and butter of league business and Millar said: "The aim now is to put pressure on the teams above us and we must look to take three points at home to Clydebank."

Meanwhile Kilbirnie Ladeside boss Budgie McGhie was licking his wounds after his side exited the Scottish Cup, losing 3-0 at home to Bo'ness United.

The gaffer said: "I couldn't argue with the sending off - it was a definite handball from John Sweeney and that made it difficult for us. It was really disappointing we lost the second goal through a set-piece and the third goal through another penalty. It was hard to take."

However the Valefield Park gaffer is now turning his attention back to the league as they head to Blair Park to face Hurlford United.

He said: "Our recent league results have been disappointing and we want to remedy that. We are not giving up on the league and aim to win on Saturday. We are also still in the West of Scotland Cup and have the Ayrshire Weekly Press Cup to play."