East Region sides face up to tough test

There are some huge games in store for the East Region sides involved in tomorrow's Emirates Scottish Cup second round.

They don't come much bigger than the game at Meadow Park between Ayrshire giants Irvine Meadow and former winners Bathgate Thistle.

Arniston boss Brian McNaughton believes his team face a massive task when they play host to Central League big boys Arthurlie. He said: "They have a great record in the Cup so it will be tough but we're working on a game plan which we hope can upset them. If we get our shape right then we could cause an upset but it's a hard one for us."

Whitburn face Cumnock in what would in previous seasons been hailed as match of the day. While both sides have fallen away in recent years, however, Whitburn boss Mattie Coulter still feels they have a chance, "We have told the players it's a sleeves-up battle ahead. It's a very difficult game for us at this stage in our recovery."

Musselburgh face a long trip to play Forres, a trip boss David McGlynn is wary of. "You don't know what you will face when you go to places like this. It's a trip into the unknown for us. It's a full day away for us and tiredness may be an issue when the game kicks off."