Arthurlie manager Colin Reilly insists there are plenty of positives to take from the South Challenge Cup defeat against Beith at the weekend.

The visitors found themselves 3-0 down at Bellsdale Park on Saturday but battled back to 3-2 before losing another goal in the dying seconds.

Carlo Monti, Blair Rossiter and Ciaran Diver had the hosts in a comfortable position before a penalty from Dylan Dykes and a Conor Bolger strike hauled Arthurlie back into the tie.

However, their bid to complete a remarkable comeback was ended by a late strike from Ryan Monan.

It means it is last season's Premier Division champions who booked their spot in the next round, with Reilly left to wonder what might have been if his players had taken more of the chances they created.

He told Barrhead Sport: “We were the far better side on Saturday and really unlucky not to win the game.

“We had the upper hand for long periods. We hit the bar, missed a couple of one-on-ones and had four or five other clear-cut chances at 0-0.

“They went up and scored at the other end, which was a really soft goal to punish us, but that’s what Beith do and are good at. They never really created much and just capitalised on poor defending on our part.

“They were desperate for the half-time whistle to come, so to go in 2-0 down was disappointing, but we regrouped and got together and gave it our best shot in the second half.

“There are plenty of positives to take and we are matching the best teams in the league in Beith and Clydebank but we can’t keep giving away soft goals.”

Knockout football continues for Arthurlie this weekend as they travel to Third Division side Glasgow United in the first round of the West of Scotland Cup.

The Shettleston outfit are currently sitting second in their table, with former Scotland international David Goodwillie in their ranks, and Reilly reckons any team that is on form and scoring goals will be difficult to play against.

He added: “Glasgow United have got a lot of quality throughout the squad, as well as David Goodwillie. They had a good result on Saturday, so we need to make sure we look after ourselves, turn up and be professional.”

Kick-off at Greenfield Park on Saturday is at 2pm.