NEW boss Brian McGinty praised his Irvine Meadow players for helping give him the perfect dug-out debut as they swept aside East Coast cracks Broxburn Athletic in the Scottish Junior Cup.

But he is warning them not to rest on their laurels following the thumping 5-2 home win as they gear up to face Cumbernauld United away in the Super First Division on Saturday.

Former fans' favourite McGinty, who has appointed former fellow Irvine Meadow player Stevie Aitchison and Phil Bannister, who were with him at Rossvale, as his assistant boss and goalkeeping coach respectively said: "We started well but when they scored they had never been in our box. The opening goal was bad defending from us but we will work on that.

"We deserved to go in at half-time with a draw as we had been the better team by a good bit. Had we gone in at the break losing it might have been difficult to lift them. But the goal from James Marks put them on a downer. I told the players they had to believe we could beat Broxburn and we proved we were a better team."

He was impressed with Graham Boyd and said: "He did well, they struggled to cope with our pace up front."

However he added: "We asked the players for a reaction but told them that can't be it just because a new manager has come in. The players will all have a chance to show what they can do but if we don't do well at Cumbernauld there will be changes. We have to get this club back to not accepting bad performances. We must look to win and leapfrog Cumbernauld.

"Meadow have always been a big club but they should be in the top league and our job is to get them back there."

Striker James Marks, who scored a wonder goal to make it 1-1 said: "That has to be one my best goals and came at the perfect time. The most important thing was to get through but we did it with class and style. We should be winning games, getting far in competitions and competing for league titles."

Kilwinning Rangers boss Chris Strain was encouraged to see his team progress as they defeated Larkhall Thistle 2-1 in the Scottish.

He said: "That wasn't the best we have played but conditions were very difficult. The most important thing is we are through."

Buffs on Saturday face Hurlford United in a league match which has been switched to Blair Park, with Ricky Hanvey returning from suspension and Michael Wardrope and Ben Lewis back from injury.

Boss Chris Strain said: "Hurlford are in a false position and it will be difficult but we want a positive result."

Irvine Victoria hope their Scottish Cup clash away to Forth Wanderers goes ahead at the second time of asking after being called off.

Boss Stevie Wilson said: "It was frustrating not being able to play as not many games were off but hopefully it goes ahead and we get through."