AUCHINLECK Talbot’s defence of the West of Scotland Football League Cup will take them to top flight rivals Kirkintilloch Rob Roy next month.

Tommy Sloan’s men, who won the trophy by defeating Clydebank in the 2022-23 final at Meadow Park in April, will face the ‘Rabs’ at Guys Meadow on Saturday, February 24 for a place in the last eight of the tournament, sponsored by Indigo Communications.

The draw for the fourth round of the competition, made on Sunday night, threw up at least one Ayrshire derby, with reigning Premier Division champions Beith handed a trip to South Ayrshire to face Maybole.

And there’s the prospect of another all-Ayrshire clash too, with Ardrossan Winton Rovers set to travel to Darvel – if Gavin Friels can guide his squad past Fourth Division Thorn Athletic in one of four remaining third round ties.

Ayr Advertiser: Talbot are the holders after defeating Clydebank 2-0 in last season's finalTalbot are the holders after defeating Clydebank 2-0 in last season's final (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

Craigmark Burntonians' reward for taking the scalp of top flight strugglers Irvine Meadow in round three is a home tie against last season's Junior Cup finalists Rutherglen Glencairn, while Glenafton will have to be wary of a shock after being handed a trip to Lanarkshire to face third-tier Larkhall Thistle.

The full fourth round draw is as follows: Royal Albert or Lanark United v Shotts Bon Accord; Maybole v Beith; Darvel v Thorn Athletic or Ardrossan Winton Rovers; Hurlford or St Roch’s v Cumbernauld United or Lesmahagow; Craigmark Burntonians v Rutherglen Glencairn; Pollok v Gartcairn; Kirkintilloch Rob Roy v Auchinleck Talbot; Larkhall Thistle v Glenafton Athletic.

All the ties are due to be played on February 24.