DANNY DREW'S signing of Bonnar McKenzie shows he has mellowed in his attitude towards the former Arthurlie striker.

The pair had many fall-outs when they used to line up on opposing sides and go hammer and tongs at each other.

In fact, Bellshill boss Drew freely admits that he looked upon his adversary as "an absolute pest to play against".

And it's mainly because of that appreciation of Bonnar's qualities that the Bellshill boss moved quickly this week to sign the veteran from Beith.

He said: "As a defender playing against Arthurlie down through the years, I knew there was never going to be a moment's peace if Bonnar was in their team.

"He is one of those always-on-the-move forwards, very difficult to pin down and neither was he the type to be intimidated even when I did manage to get close enough to put in a hefty challenge.

"He was also a lippy sort, winding defenders up and getting right under their skins.

"Yet, over and above everything else, Bonnar was and is a top-drawer Junior and I'm absolutely ecstatic about the prospect of him coming on board here and lending his experience to help develop our young strikers Gary Fleming and Stuart Tullis.

"And though getting on a bit now, he's kept himself in great shape so I'm looking forward to him banging in a few goals for us as well."

Bonnar looks set for a daunting debut tomorrow when Bellshill host the visit of Cumnock in arguably one of the top-rated New Coin West of Scotland Cup first round ties.

Another likely starter is David Dimilta, now off the Lanarkshire club's open-to-transfer list at his own request and "playing exceptional stuff" according to his gaffer.

Drew added: "Cumnock are a Super Premier side in everything but name and I imagine they will fancy their chances of turning us over.

"However, we are slowly but surely coming together as a team and I honestly believe we can give them a game of it."

Other team news for Bellshill is that long-term injury victim Willie Soutar is only back in light training and therefore unavailable to face the Ayrshiremen, forcing Drew to again field midfielder Mark Booth as a makeshift defender.

Word in Ayrshire has Cumnock near to full strength, with only striker Ian Cashmore (broken foot) and Joe Gold (unavailable) set to be posted missing for the trip through to West End Park.

Also up in Lanarkshire on cup duty are once-mighty Kilwinning Rangers, whose fall from grace in recent seasons is recognised by bookmakers rating them as outright underdogs against East Kilbride Thistle at The Showpark.

However, Gers' ex-Glenafton, Irvine Meadow and Benburb striker Gavin Brown is convinced the outcome is not a foregone conclusion.

He said: "There's no getting away from the fact EK play at a higher level than ourselves and as such deserve to be slight favourites, especially on their own home patch.

"But to have our own chances dismissed out of hand has got a few backs up in our dressing room and we'll be fired up to prove a point to people."

Benburb, meanwhile, buoyed by last weekend's 3-1 defeat of Second Division leaders Yoker courtesy of goals by Tony O'Neil (2) and Stevie Waddell, are in great fettle for their trip to face Lugar.

The home side are boosted by having their former midfielder Darren McMahon back from Stranraer.

However, a definite non-starter in their ranks is bustling front man Gary Robertson, placed on the transfer list this week after recently getting married and moving home to live in Glasgow.

And it remains to be seen whether Clydebank's pacey striker Charlie Hobbs will run out for the Bankies at home to Forth Wandereres as he has been linked with a move to previous club Maryhill.

Finally, Neilston will be managerless for their trip to Cumbernauld after parting company with manager Colin "Ces" Lindsay.

His backroom team of Kenny Gillies and Archie Halley have also departed, leaving former player Dennis Connaghan in charge at Guy's Meadow.

Neilston intend to invite applications for the post and have asked interested parties to contact match secretary Hugh Blair on 0141-881 8282.