PORT Glasgow take a break from league business tomorrow, when Blantyre Vics come to Parklea.

It’s a first-round tie in the Central League Cup, and promises to be an intriguing encounter.

Back-to-back victories have seen the Port remain in contention for promotion, but the Vics have also been enjoying a good season.

They have had some impressive cup runs, none more so than in the Sectional League Cup, where they looked set to lift the trophy when leading Cumbernauld 3-1 with just minutes to go in the final. But a late collapse saw Cumbernauld level at 3-3 to take the tie to penalties, which the Vics agonisingly lost 4-2.

Meanwhile in the Scottish Cup, excellent away wins at Bathgate Thistle and Lochee United saw Blantyre reach the fourth round before losing out to Greenock’s conquerors Newtongrange Star in a replay after the first game ended two apiece.

That run has seen them fall way behind with their league fixtures and drop down to seventh in the league table. But with an amazing 16 games to squeeze in before the end of the season, a good run could yet see them challenge for promotion. The Port and the Vics were rivals in the Second Division last season, with the Lanarkshire side eventually winning the championship to step up to Division One.

The games between the sides ended in wins for Blantyre, with the second of the matches ending in a narrow 4-3 win at Parklea.

Meanwhile, it has been revealed that Port defender Eddie Walton is to appeal the red card he was shown in last week’s 2-1 victory at Newmains.

The ordering-off had looked set to rule Walton out of the side for the next three games, but he is now free to play until his appeal is heard at a West Region management committee meeting on 14 April.

In other team news, Kevin McKay, pictured, should return after work commitments ruled him out of the Newmains match, but Graeme McClement remains injured.

A knee injury to Morton youth team loanee Craig Knight saw him sit out the Greenock men’s match on Tuesday night, but it’s hoped he will have recovered in time for tomorrow.

And although a similar injury led to Alan Jamieson missing Monday night’s training session, he was able to resume on Wednesday and is expected to be fit for the Blantyre game.

For some managers the Central League Cup can be an unwelcome distraction at a crucial stage of the league season, but Port boss Craig Brown doesn’t mind either way.

He said : “If all the players were fit and available I suppose I might have preferred a league game, but with a wee bit of uncertainty here and there I think tomorrow will be a nice break away from the league.

“But this will be a very difficult match. Blantyre are a very experienced team and I would say they must be among the favourites for promotion. We had really good games against them last season, and I would expect the same tomorrow.” Kick-off at Parklea is at 2pm. If level after 90 minutes, the match will be decided by penalty kicks.

Port Glasgow Juniors are sponsored by Regents Vehicle Sales, Greenock, and MAC HSL Ltd.