Auchinleck Talbot manager Tommy Sloan says he was thrilled to get back to winning ways after watching his side see off Craigmark Burntonians on Saturday.

Talbot went into the Scottish Junior Cup third round tie following back to back defeats against Kirkintilloch Rob Roy and Kilwinning Rangers before the winter break – but a disciplined display at Station Park secured a 2-0 win and a place against Irvine Meadow in round four this weekend.

The Bot created plenty of chances in the opening period but failed to make any of them count as both sides went into the break level.

It took until late into the second half for the away side to break the deadlock, when a cleared corner fell to the edge of the box where Graham Wilson was waiting to lash in to open the scoring.

And wth nine minutes to go Bot sealed their place in the next round with a second.

Craig McCracken whipped in a cross from the right which Jamie Glasgow stooped to head in and get Talbot back to winning ways.

Speaking to the Chronicle, Sloan said: “We were stronger in the second half and certainly merited the 2-0 scoreline in the end.

“It was about winning at the weekend, we have lost our last two games so it was really important to get back to winning ways.”

Talbot have already faced Medda twice this season, winning on both occasions, including a 5-1 triumph when the sides last locked horns in November – but despite those results, Sloan says he won’t be underestimating the visitors to Beechwood Park this Saturday.

“It is always a tough match,” he said. “I do not remember an easy game against Meadow.

“We are familiar with each other now it is the third time we have met this season which means it will be a tight match.

“Both sides will go into the game high on confidence, they won convincingly in the league and we have won in the cup.

“So, it is a big match and we will need to be up for it.”

The winners of Saturday’s tie, which kicks off at 2pm, will travel to either Shotts Bon Accord or Rossvale in March to play for a place in the semi-finals.