Gordon saves his best for ’Lie qualifier
BENBURB........................................0 ARTHURLIE.....................................2 the diving Bens keeper to open the scoring.
The hosts came into the game following the setback.
Although they had the lion’s share of possession they didn’t really pose a goal threat and were always at risk of Arthurlie breaks up the park.
Five minutes from the break, and Craig Gordon tipped over an effort to prevent Benburb levelling things up.
He then made another good block as the hosts cranked up the pressure.
Up to the other end and a ball from Reid was brilliantly controlled by James Marks before he laid it off into the path of McGaughey who saw his effort deflected wide.
And two minutes from the break Dan McKay showed great strength to hold off his man before turning and shooting, but the Bens keeper saved well at his near post.
Into the second half and shortly before the hour mark Arthurlie doubled their lead. McKay fed McGaughey on the left and his cross into the danger area was hit past his own keeper by a Bens defender.
Jamie Docherty was introduced for Marks but it was the hosts that were now threatening as Gordon made a great block to deny another Bens effort.
Paul Young was next to depart with Kieran McDade replacing him as manager Sinclair looked to add fresh legs to his backline.
With ten minutes to go the hosts had another effort come back off the bar then five minutes later Gordon was at full stretch to tip away a low shot, but he managed to get to his feet in time to block the second effort in what was a fantastic double save.
Just before time McKay managed to get between two defenders and lobbed the out rushing keeper but his effort hit the bar before going past and with that the referee blew for time and the rain finally stopped.
Arthurlie will now play Renfrew at home in the last sixteen with the fixture scheduled for Monday, August 12 with a 6:45pm kick off.
Arthurlie: Gordon, Reynolds, Bradley, Mushet, Young, Urquhart, Payne, Roulston, McKay, Marks, McGaughey
Subs: Reid, Docherty, O’Neil, McDade, Digney.