Pollok moved five points clear at the top of the Stagecoach Super Premier League with a last-gasp victory over title rivals Auchinleck Talbot at Beechwood Park. Friday's game with Johnstone Burgh took it's toll on the Pollok squad, with both Derek Heaton and Alan Waddell lost to injury. Gary Wilson returned in a rejigged back division, while Davie Turnbull made his first start of 2007 up front.

The hosts started brightly with Neal Gilmour firing a long range free-kick over the bar after four minutes, and Stevie Mallan shooting just wide of the target moments later after being played in by Brian Young. Pollok's first chance fell to David McGeown, who shot wide after Turnbull had brought down a Kris Robertson clearance. After 13 minutes Wilson's throw-in was flicked on by Turnbull into the path of Zander Ryan, and his sliding effort was cleared off the line by some desperate Talbot defending.

Talbot nearly claimed the lead in bizarre style when a Robertson clearance struck the prone Stevie Aitchison and ricocheted narrowly wide of the Pollok goal. Young then scooped the ball over an empty net after Stevie Mallan had drawn the Pollok defence out of position. 'Lok took the lead after 28 minutes when Ryan's throw-in was cushioned back to the thrower by Turnbull, and Ryan's cross was met at the near post by the head of DAVID McGEOWN to open the scoring. As the game approached half-time a Wilson clearance fell to Bryan Slavin, but Robertson reacted well to his snapshot and touched the ball round the post for a corner.

Pollok opened the second half with a sweeping move involving nearly half the team that ended with a fierce strike from Richie Newall, but Stuart McIntosh made a fine save. His side were soon level when careless defending from Pollok allowed Young to slip the ball through to STUART DAVIDSON, who calmly rolled the ball under Robertson to equalise in the 51st minute. Four minutes later Robertson made a stunning triple stop, firstly denying Mallan, then two further efforts from David Gillies in an incredible ten-second spell. Talbot were on top at this stage, and Gilmour should have done better after cutting in from the right, only to fire a weak effort at Robertson.

Joe Carruth then had to clear off his own line as 'Lok tried to weather the Auchinleck storm. A Chris Cruickshank slip allowed Mallan a sight of goal, but Robertson was again equal to the task. Former Pollok hitman Gavin Friels was brought on by Tommy Sloan as Talbot searched for a winner, but it was to arrive at the other end of the field. With just two minutes remaining Pollok broke from defence led by McGeown, who slotted the ball through the heart of the Talbot defence. McIntosh advanced to gather, but the tireless STEVIE MILLER just beat him to the ball, taking it round the 'keeper before rolling it into the empty net for his first ever Pollok goal.

The result gives Pollok a twelfth league victory in a row, but with the two sides still to meet at Newlandsfield the title is far from a formality.

Auchinleck Talbot: McIntosh, White, McVey, Lundy, Collins, Davidson, Young (Boyle 83), Slavin, Gillies (Friels 72), Mallan, Gilmour (Sloan 83). Not used: Spence, Anderson.
Booked: McVey (59)
Pollok: Robertson, Carruth, G Wilson, Aitchison, Cruickshank, Miller, Ryan, McGeown, Dingwall, Turnbull (Downs 81), Newall (Black 89). Not used: Booth, Gardiner, O'Donoghue.
Booked: Dingwall (31), McGeown (37), Miller (84), Wilson (86), Downs (90+4)
Ref: Andy McWilliam

Pollok returned to competitive action after a three week layoff with victory over Johnstone Burgh in the second round of the Central League Cup at Newlandsfield Park. Having lost Andy McClay to a season ending injury Rab Sneddon was forced to change his midfield, with David McGeown filling the void. Top scorer Bryan Dingwall returned after missing five games through injury, replacing Robert Downs.

After a start that saw both Derek Heaton and veteran Willie Armour booked 'Lok were first to hit the target when Chris Cruickshank headed a Stevie Aitchison free-kick towards goal, but 'keeper Craig McMahon gathered his effort comfortably. Kris Robertson had to look lively to turn a 30-yard Burgh strike round the post after 18 minutes, then had to dive bravely at the feet of James Donnelly after a dangerous cross from a surging run by Scott McNeil caused problems at the heart of the 'Lok defence. Donnelly connected with a Burgh corner in the 26th minute, but Robertson made another fine save.

Dingwall had a sight of goal three minutes later when the ball broke to him at the edge of the penalty box, but he was off balance as he struck the ball and McMahon made the save. Alan Waddell then headed wide for Pollok, and Richie Newall forced an excellent stop from McMahon after sliding in to meet a cross from the right. It was the visitors who broke the deadlock, however, after 39 minutes. Donnelly flighted in a free-kick that caught the Pollok defence off guard, and DAVID BROLLY stole in to direct the ball beyond Robertson. Pollok's response was swift as Newall crossed over a corner from the right two minutes later that was met by the head of BRYAN DINGWALL, who found the corner of the net to level matters at the interval.

The second half started with further goalmouth action that saw Burgh regain the lead. Donnelly lifted over another free-kick into the penalty area, and former Pollok player ROSS CURRIE rose to nod the ball past Robertson after 48 minutes. Waddell was denied by another fine save by McMahon before a forceful run by Stevie Miller help create an opportunity for Dingwall, who appeared to be tripped in the box, but referee Paul McDowall waved away the penalty appeals of the home side. After 74 minutes Joe Carruth combined with Zander Ryan on the left hand side of the park, and his cross was headed just over by McGeown.

Four minutes later Aitchison propelled a long throw-in into the Burgh box, only for CHRIS WOZENCROFT to flick the ball over his own 'keeper and into the net to bring 'Lok level. Newall could have won the game for Pollok just two minutes from time when a corner was cleared back to him, but he lifted his shot just over the bar. Pollok were not to be denied, however, and claimed victory with just sixty seconds left to play. Good work from Newall and substitute Davie Turnbull helped provide space for Cruickshank on the left, and his deep cross struck the post before rebounding to McGeown. The Burgh defence blocked his effort, only for the ball to fall to ZANDER RYAN, who prodded home to send Pollok through to a third round clash with Renfrew.

The win ensures that Pollok will go into their crucial league meeting with Auchinleck on a high, while keeping their involvement going in the quest for further silverware this season.

Pollok: Robertson, Carruth, Cruickshank, Aitchison, Heaton, Miller, Ryan, McGeown, Dingwall, Waddell (Turnbull 70), Newall. Not used: Booth, Black, O'Donoghue, Gardiner.
Booked: Heaton (13), Ryan (30), Miller (37), McGeown (63)
Johnstone: McMahon, McNeil, M Sherry, Smith, Wozencroft, Ferris, Currie, Armour, Brolly, J Sherry (McDonald 75), Donnelly. Not used: Crawford, McCormack, Conway, Donohue.
Ref: Paul McDowall

With the Scottish Junior Cup semi-final at St. Mirren Park preventing Pollok from taking part in a competitive fixture Rab Sneddon took his squad to The Showpark for a friendly against East Kilbride.

'Lok had just fourteen players available for selection, but a bright start saw them take an early lead. Richie Newall swung over a corner from the right that was met on the volley by DEREK HEATON, and the big stopper's strike found the bottom corner of the net. It took quarter of an hour for the hosts to trouble Ian Wilson in the Pollok goal, but Steven Thompson's shot was weak and easily saved. Steven McClung then had an excellent opportunity when left with a free header in the 'Lok box, but he headed the ball into the ground and it bounced into the grateful arms of Wilson.

Pollok extended their lead after 17 minutes when a terrific driving run from David McGeown took him past most of the Thistle defence, and he squared the ball for BRYAN DINGWALL to slam home beyond Stewart. Dingwall then found space after a Pollok throw-in, but this time he rattled the post with a dipping volley. McClung and Sean Winter combined to create a chance for EK in the 28th minute, and although Heaton blocked well the ball rebounded to Winter, who forced an excellent save from Wilson. Davie Turnbull then narrowly missed the target with a 40-yard over the shoulder volley after Dingwall had harried Stewart as he cleared his lines. Stewart then saved from Gary Wilson, while at the other end Michael Smith set up Stephen Brogan, but he fired over the bar.

Thistle made four changes at half-time, with James Strain making an immediate impact. He combined with Thompson to tee up SEAN WINTER who drilled the ball beyond Wilson from the edge of the penalty box. As both sides made changes the game became more fragmented, although Newall tested substitute 'keeper Ross Winter with a fierce 20-yard effort that was touched round the post. Paul Bain fired a long-range effort from a free-kick well wide before East Kilbride restored parity with ten minutes left to play. JAMES STRAIN created space for himself inside the Pollok box, and he cracked home a shot across the face of Kris Robertson that caught the inside of the post on it's way into the net.

The game proved a useful exercise for Pollok with Dingwall getting another 90 minutes under his belt as he returns from injury, while some of the fringe players in the squad also received valuable playing time.

East Kilbride: Stewart (R. Winter 46), Bain, Watson, McAulay (Paterson 46), Schoneville, Fellowes (Strain 46), Smith, Brogan, McClung (Reynolds 46), S. Winter, Thompson. Subs also used: Donnelly, Faulds, Douglas, Roome.
Pollok: I. Wilson (Robertson 55), Miller (Ryan 55), G. Wilson (Aitchison back on 82), Aitchison (Miller back on 79), Heaton, Booth, O'Donoghue, McGeown, Turnbull, Dingwall, Newall (McCallum 79).

With no fixtures scheduled in the near future Rab Sneddon kept his players ticking over with a friendly match against a Stenhousemuir side composed mainly of players battling back from injury and U19s on the artificial turf at Ochilview. Work commitments meant that the Pollok team had an unfamiliar feel to it, with a makeshift defence missing the influence of Derek Heaton and Stevie Aitchison. Ian Wilson continued his rehabilitation in goals, while Bryan Dingwall made a welcome return with a place on the bench.

Wilson had to make a brave save at the feet of John Dempster after 20 minutes when the 'Lok defence were caught out by a pass from John Paul McBride. He was powerless eleven minutes later, however, when a cross from the right found the unmarked JOHN DEMPSTER, who headed home to open the scoring. McBride then cracked the crossbar with a free-kick before Pollok's best chance of the half. Robert Downs released Simon Black through the middle, but his shot struck the crossbar and fell to Alan Waddell, who also hit the bar with the rebound.

Richie Newall then had a shot cleared off the line before The Warriors doubled their lead. Stevie Miller gifted away possession deep in his own half, and the ball was quickly fed to JOHN DEMPSTER, who rounded Wilson for his second of the game. After 42 minutes a shot from distance was pushed away by Wilson, but only into the path of DARYL McKERNAN, who had the simplest of tasks to make the half-time score 3-0 to the hosts.

An injury to Downs early in the second half paved the way for the return of Dingwall to the black and white, and he immediately linked with Waddell and Davie Turnbull to set up Newall for a crack at goal, but his shot was saved. 'Lok pulled a goal back after 62 minutes when a low Chris Cruickshank cross was spilled by the 'keeper, and ALAN WADDELL pounced to prod home from close range. Stenhousemuir restored their three-goal lead just 42 seconds later when a long ball over the top found JOHN PAUL McBRIDE, who took the ball past half-time substitute Kris Robertson and slotted it into the net.

The deficit became four after 73 minutes when Gary Wilson tried to play his way out of defence, only to be caught in possession by DARYL McKERNAN, who duly lashed home his second of the game. With nine minutes to play 'Lok were awarded a free-kick, and some quick thinking released Black on the right, who cut the ball across for ZANDER RYAN to shoot home. Kyle McCallum replaced Waddell for the closing stages for the Newlandsfield men, who were to strike woodwork again. Turnbull curled an 84th minute free-kick from the edge of the box, only to see the ball cannon off the base of the post. 'Lok did get a third one minute later when a Dingwall header was saved by the 'keeper, but fell to KYLE McCALLUM, who scored for the second time in as many friendly appearances for Pollok.

The news of the return of Pollok's top scorer is somewhat tempered by the loss of Andy McClay to a serious knee injury, ruling him out of the title run-in.

Pollok: I Wilson (Robertson 46), Miller, Cruickshank, Carruth, G Wilson, Newall, Ryan, Black, Waddell (McCallum 81), Downs (Dingwall 48), Turnbull.
Ref: Paul McDowell