CAUTIOUS Irvine Victoria boss Stevie Wilson is urging his side to "keep their eye on the ball" as they kick off their Scottish Junior Cup campaign at home to league rivals Maybole on Saturday.

The sides met in a thrilling league contest on September 2 at Victoria Park, with Vics running out 5-3 winners, but Wilson expects a similarly tough test this time around.

Vics go into the game on a high after moving to the top of the Ayrshire District League table with a 4-1 home victory against Craigmark Burntonians.

Wilson said: "Maybole gave us a really tough game a few weeks ago and we expect another test. There's something special about the Scottish Cup and it would be good if we could get through and have a run. Last season we beat Newtongrange Star, who are one of the top East Coast sides and I had some good results with Ardeer Thistle and Saltcoats Vics in the cup. Maybole will be up for the match."

Meanwhile Wilson will not get carried away despite his team's fine form, which has seen them win four straight league games since losing the opener 4-1 to an Ardrossan Winton Rovers side who last week installed former Vics player Bryan Slavin as their manager.

He said: "We are doing well but there are some strong sides in the league, like Dalry Thistle who are going well, Maybole, Craigmark and I expect Winton to pick up under Bryan Slavin. We must keep our eye on the ball as other teams will want to knock us off our perch."

Meanwhile Kilwinning Rangers boss Chris Strain was delighted with his side's attacking play as they beat Girvan 5-3 at Abbey Park, with Bryan Boylan scoring four times.

But he says they must tighten at the back.

Strain said: "Bryan had a great game and our forward play was at times exquisite. It was good to become the first team to beat Girvan, who had drawn at Pollok and Kilbirnie. But we lost three goals and that is something we have to work on."

Defender Ben Lewis, who suffered a knee and ankle injury following a challenge is set to miss Saturday's home Scottish Cup clash with struggling Saltcoats Victoria.

Strain said: "We will assess Ben but he will miss the cup tie which is a blow. There was no malice, but it was a clumsy challenge."

The manager is taking nothing for granted against the Seasiders.

He said: "We are playing a lower league side but can't afford to be complacent. They have nothing to lose but if we play to our potential I have no doubt we can win the match."

Elsewhere Irvine Meadow, who drew 0-0 at Darvel, face Maryhill away in another opening round tie under the floodlights on Friday night. But manager Ross Wilson was unavailable for comment.