Martin McLauchlan - the creative spark up front

And it was DREW MCWILLIAMS who opened the Lok scoring in 12 minutes when he scrambled in a David Hamilton cross though the Talbot defence, which looked shakey throughout the first half, perhaps shouldn't have afforded the wily Lok forward so much space. Talbot's day got worse when veteran stopper Fraser Church, a recent signing from Shotts Bon Accord, turned a McLauchlan cutback past his own keeper just after the half hour mark. A poor first half for the visitors, who were cheered on by a big travelling support, got worse when Alan Blaikie pulled down Martin Nelson in the area shortly before the break, and DAVID HAMILTON converted his penalty with ease.

McMenamin and Hamilton look upfield

Wilson had to be sharp again six minutes later when a Steven Pettit through ball released Andy Thomson, but last seasons Player Of The Year was again up to the challenge. Pollok continued to press at the other end, with both Martin McLauchlan and Paul McNeill seeing headers flash just over the crossbar. 'Lok seemed certain to make the breakthrough after 23 minutes when Jimmy McPhee wriggled his way into space, and his through ball found Logan. Craig Marshall in the Thistle goal, however, made an outstanding save from point blank range to keep the scoresheet blank. The McPhee and Logan combination were instrumental, however, in finally breaking down the home defence after 41 minutes. A good passing move resulted in McPhee picking the ball up on the Pollok right, and his cross into the box was met perfectly by the head of RAYMOND LOGAN to send the visitors into the interval with a slender one goal lead.

Craig looks skyward as Lok look for another one

A neat 1-2 between Nelson and Logan set up HAMILTON for Lok to go ahead once more in 24 minutes, and a piledriver from MARTIN MCLAUCHLAN was parried into th net by Dennison two minutes on. With 37 minutes played a fine Craig effort when he flciked the ball over the keeper was followed up by MCLAUCHLAN for his second.

Pollok look to threaten the 'Hill goal in the 1st half

Pollok made inroads into the shaky 'Hill defence early on, with David Hamilton and Derek Heaton both having chances. With 10 minutes played, David Craig had a shot saved, and shorlty afterwards both McNeill and Heaton failed to net. McLauchlan passed up a sitter midway through the first half when he was clar with only Black to beat, but he dithered and the chance passed. Craig Porter joined in the profligacy at the other end, while Heaton and Loagn continued to miss chances for Lok, but on the stroke of half time though a Nelson free-kick found DAVID CRAIG and the ex-Peterborough midfielder steered a header across Black into the bottom left hand corner.