LUGAR boss Carlo Walker claims Saturday’s draw with Cumnock has given his side a massive confidence boost ahead of the league campaign.

Walker’s side held Nock to 1-1 draw at Townhead Park in the Ardagh Cup.

It may not match the 7-1 drubbing theyhanded out to Glenafton last season, but the Rosebank Park boss says it will fill the Ayrshire District boys with renewed optimism.

Walker said: “They caused us a wee bit of bother but, all in all, I was delighted with our boys. Sometimes you just play well in these games and over the 90 minutes our lads did.

“Our boys just believe in themselves. It would have been easy for the Talbot defeat to affect them and have them thinking 'here we go again’ but they stuck to what they had to do and they got a result.

“Cumnock are a good side but they did have a few key players missing and we rode our luck a wee bit at times. But that’s normal when you play teams two divisions above you.” He continued: “It’s a massive morale boost for us heading in to the season. We beat Glenafton last year and I felt we never really got the credit we deserved. Cumnock are a good side and we held them to a draw, hopefully we get some credit for that.” Lugar clung on for the draw despite finishing the game with just ten men when defender David Mathieson was forced off with a foot injury. Lugar had used all of their substitutions and were unable to replace the hospital-bound player who suffered a broken foot.

The result for the Bunnets sets them up for their league campaign which gets under way away to Whitletts Victoria on Saturday August 30.

Walker added: “Results like the one on Saturday always lift your confidence and heading in to the season we want promotion, that’s what we are looking for from this season so hopefully we can kick on from this result.” Walker expects to be without Mathieson for the next four to six weeks but is hopeful of bringing in Queen of the South youngster, Scott Hooper on loan to bolster his squad in the coming days.