Robert Downs (60)
Bryan Dingwall (75)

Michael Hughes (73)

Pollok successfully progressed to the quarter-finals of the Central League Cup by defeating Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 2-1 at Newlandsfield Park. Injuries and holidays limited Harry Erwin’s alternatives, but he was able to recall Shaun Dillon to the starting line-up after a four match suspension.

Kevin Bell made the first save of the game after a weak John Sweeney shot from a Joe Carruth cross. Grant Anderson had a great chance for the visitors after 13 minutes when he burst down the left of the park and fired at goal, but Kris Robertson was equal to his effort. Carruth saw Bell tip over his angled header sixty seconds later, while Chris Cruickshank did well to block a Steven Dymock strike in the 22nd minute. Richie Newall threatened for Pollok with a hooked shot that landed on the roof of the net, while Derek Wingate stepped forward from defence to try his luck from all of 40 yards out, but the ball flew well over the crossbar. David McGeown was next to shoot with a 20-yard drive that appeared to strike an arm on the way through to Bell, but his penalty appeals were waved away by referee Barry Cook. Dean Muir and Stuart Maxwell both missed the target for Kirkintilloch Muir wide and Maxwell high, while Bryan Dingwall headed wide from a deep Carruth cross as the half finished goalless.

Brian MacKay and Robert Downs were both introduced to the action as Pollok sought to break the deadlock, and Downs almost did so in the 59th minute when he met a Newall free-kick with a diving header, but he could only direct the ball over the bar. Sixty seconds later he found his range to open the scoring. Calum Hardie combined with Dingwall on the left, with the later wriggling free before crossing to ROBERT DOWNS who bulleted a header into the back of the net. Rob Roy would have been level within a minute had it not been for a heroic triple save by Kris Robertson. He saved a Jamie Docherty shot with his legs, then parried Paul McQuilken’s follow-up effort before reacting superbly to stop another McQuilken strike.

Dingwall sent a header over for ‘Lok, while John Sweeney also missed the target with a 30-yard shot. Michael Hughes replaced McQuilken for the visitors after 71 minutes, and he had an immediate impact on the game. Former Pollok defender Brian Wardle saw a header hit the post, but the rebound fell perfectly to MICHAEL HUGHES to tap home from inches out. Rob Roy were level for just two minutes however as Pollok quickly regained the advantage. Downs’ pass into the box picked out BRYAN DINGWALL, and he forced the ball home to make the score 2-1 in favour of the home side. As the game moved into injury time Docherty could have levelled matters when he lifted a shot over the advancing Robertson, only to see the ball strike the post and fall to safety.

It is therefore Pollok who will travel to Brig O’ Lea Stadium next Wednesday night to take on Neilston in the quarter-finals of the competition.