UPBEAT Irvine Meadow boss Brian McGinty has praised his patched-up young side after running Premier Division champions Beith close in the Ardagh Group West of Scotland Cup.

The visitors had to play an hour with 10 men following the dismissal of defender Callum Gow.

However the Mighty were helped to victory with a penalty at 2-2 and only sealed victory in the dying seconds.

McGinty, whose team took a point in a league match at Bellsdale Park in February was full of praise for his team and said: "We had eight players out but played really well and deserve a lot of credit for that. Everyone who featured played really well. We can't complain about the red card for Callum Gow as it was deemed a last man challenge."

One of the positives for the boss was the performance of teenage debutant Liam Wells.

He said: "Liam plays with our Under-19s team but stepped up and played really well. He was up against strong opponents, including Joe Bradley and had a really good game. They were awarded a soft penalty, I don't think there was much in the challenge on Thomas Collins and that proved to be the turning point in the game. But Beith are a good side and we competed well."

Meadow on Saturday are away to a Kilwinning Rangers side who are off the back of a 5-0 hammering away to Clydebank.

The manager added: "Chris Strain will want to make sure his team get a result but we are looking to win the match."