David McGeown (3, 52)
David Turnbull (90 pen)

Andy Reid (25)
Kenny McLean (31)
Craig Brittain (76)

Pollok’s hopes of lifting the New Coin Automatics West of Scotland Cup were ended at the quarter-final stage as they were knocked out of the competition on penalty kicks by Beith.

Pollok’s ranks were weakened by the absence of Bryan Dingwall, Robert Downs and captain Stevie Aitchison through injury, but even so the home side made a bright start to the game and took the lead after only three minutes. Calum Hardie sent over a cross from the right that DAVID McGEOWN stretched to reach, showing great technique to keep his volley under the crossbar as he beat John Wight from twelve yards out. Beith responded with shots from Andy Reid and Martin McGarvey that were easily taken by Kris Robertson before McGeown tried an ambitious 45-yard lob with Wight off his line, but the ball drifted harmlessly wide. Alan Waddell, making his first start since October, then curled a strike wide, while John Sweeney headed over after a deep free-kick by Shaun Dillon. Sweeney then slipped a terrific pass to Hardie for a shot at goal, but Wight saved well. Hesitancy by Chris Cruickshank allowed Kenny McLean a sight of goal after 23 minutes, but Robertson made a fine close range save to deny the prolific hitman. He was beaten just two minutes later however when he failed to reach a corner from John Spence and ANDY REID headed home from close range. Worse was to follow after 31 minutes when KENNY McLEAN shimmied past Derek Wingate and planted a composed finish beyond Robertson to give the visitors the lead. Marc McShane almost grabbed a third before half-time with a header that Robertson just managed to touch over the bar.

The scoreline was level again seven minutes after the restart. Sweeney fed Hardie on the right, and his pinpoint cross was bulleted home by the head of DAVID McGEOWN to make the score 2-2. ‘Lok should have moved ahead two minutes later after an almighty goalmouth scramble that saw Craig Brittain block efforts from Wingate and McGeown on the goal-line before the Ayrshire side finally cleared the danger. McShane sent a header wide before Italian striker Simone Sorrentino was brought on for his Pollok debut. ‘Lok had a stroke of luck when Cruickshank deflected a McGarvey cross onto his own crossbar, the ball bouncing on the woodwork twice before falling to safety. Beith reclaimed the lead with fourteen minutes left to play when CRAIG BRITTAIN unleashed a stunning 25-yard strike into the postage stamp corner of the net with the home defence helpless. As time ran down Pollok were handed a lifeline in controversial circumstances in the final minute. Richie Newall tried to lift the ball past Derek McCulloch inside the area, with the ball striking the defender’s arm. Referee Barry Cook pointed to the spot, and DAVIE TURNBULL stepped up to fire home the equaliser. A late McGeown scissor-kick flew wide and a Martin Stewart run and cross caused panic for the hosts, but there was no further scoring and the game went to penalties.

McCulloch missed the target for Beith with the first spot-kick before Turnbull, Brian McKeown, Joe Carruth and Reid all scored their efforts. Dillon saw his strike saved by Wight to restore parity at 2-2 before James Canning, Sorrentino and McLean despatched their kicks. That left Newall needing to score to take matters to sudden-death, but Wight guessed correctly to save his weak effort and take the Ayrshire side into a semi-final meeting with Cumnock.

Pollok meanwhile will have to regroup with a crucial league fixture when they travel to Meadow Park to take on Irvine Meadow XI.