CUMNOCK boss Peter Leonard has hailed a "cracking" cup tie after his side were drawn to face Pollok in the Junior Cup.

The Nock will travel to Newlandsfield on Saturday, October 27 in the tie of the third round.

Leonard told the Chronicle: "It's a cracking draw. You've got to to play the good teams if you want to do anything in this competition.

"We got a draw up there last season and the way it's turned out we're going to play them twice in two weeks because of the league fixtures.

"I would have preferred to play them at home but it's a good surface at Newlandsfield."

Both sides were beaten by eventual winners Auchinleck Talbot in the fourth and fifth rounds of last season's competition.

And Talbot were drawn at home to Lesmahagow who they face in the Sectional League Cup Final on Sunday.

Ahead of the final – also at Newlandsfield – boss Tommy Sloan said: "It gives both teams a look at each other [before the Junior Cup match]. They are used to winning games in their league.

"We will be expected to win but we need to stand up and react to Saturday's game.

"We lost at the weekend so it's not the best way to go into a cup final. We need to react and we need to do better, Glenafton played for more than an hour with 10 men and we couldn't score. It's not good enough. They deserve a lot credit for the result.

"It's a game we are expected to win. They are big underdogs and there is no pressure on them so that makes them dangerous."

Elsewhere, 2017 winners Glenafton Athletic face a long trip north to play Ellon United at The Meadows.

Muirkirk host Girvan, Kello Rovers travel to Annbank United and Craigmark Burntonians are at home to East Craigie.

Full third round draw (Ayrshire teams in bold):

  • New Elgin v Luncarty
  • Pollok v Cumnock
  • Ashfield v Neilston
  • Renfrew v Fauldhouse United
  • Wishaw v Lanark United
  • Pumpherston v Blantyre Victoria
  • Kinnoull v Clydebank
  • St Roch's v Downfield
  • Hurlford United v Broughty Athletic
  • Tayport v Rossvale
  • Colony Park v Cambuslang Rangers
  • Gartcairn v Lochee United
  • Darvel v Whitburn
  • Muirkirk v Girvan
  • Aberdeen East End v Dundee North End
  • Largs Thistle v Shotts Bon Accord
  • Bridge of Don Thistle v Rosyth
  • Carnoustie Panmure v Aberdeen University
  • Troon v Nairn St Ninian
  • Kilsyth Rangers v Irvine Meadow
  • Carluke Rovers v Hermes
  • Craigmark Burntonians v East Craigie
  • Ellon United v Glenafton Athletic
  • Royal Albert v Harthill
  • Banks O'Dee v East Kilbride Thistle
  • Annbank United v Kello Rovers
  • Glenrothes v Hall Russell United
  • Kirkintilloch Rob Roy v Thornton Hibs
  • Arthurlie v Dundee Violet
  • Islavale v Rutherglen Glencairn
  • Kilwinning Rangers v Bellshill Athletic
  • Auchinleck Talbot v Lesmahagow