EVERY cloud has a silver lining.

That was the message from Auchinleck Talbot star Bryan Young this week as his side moved ominously closer to the top of the league.

The Beechwood crowd pleaser was left gutted when his side crashed out of the Scottish Cup to Hurlford, but he reckons the cup exit could hand them the advantage in their bid to be crowned Premier Division champions once again.

Young featured in Saturday's thrashing of Petershill that saw them move to within a point of table toppers Pollok with games in hand.

The Talbot cult hero said: "It was disappointing going out of the cup against Hurlford.

"The gaffer wasn't happy with us after that game. You can always tell, he's not one to bawl and shout, you know he's not happy when he doesn't say much at all.

"You never want to go out of the cup, that's the one that everybody want, but it Pollok and Hurlford are still in the cup so that might work out quite well for us.

"It's not been great at times this year, it's been quite flat. But it must be good for the manager to look at us and see us still winning games when we aren't playing our best."

Talbot could claim top spot on Saturday when they welcome struggling Arthurlie to Beechwood and Yong reckons that they struggling Barrhead side will be gunning for victory in their battle to beat the drop.

He said: "They are one of the worst teams to play and we're expecting that again with them scrapping for points.

"I fancy us to go on and do well now. It's our league to lose. We've got so many games in hand and you'd always prefer to have the points on the board but I think we can pick up enough points."

Talbot host Arthurlie at Beechwood on Saturday with a 2pm kick off.