Derek Wingate (8)
Bryan Dingwall (31)
David McGeown (73)

Pollok secured an important league win when they defeated fellow title chasers Beith 3-0 at Newlandsfield Park. Joe Carruth and Calum Hardie were added to Harry Erwin’s lengthy unavailable list, but he was able to recall Stevie Miller and Andy McClay to his side.

The visitors almost took the lead in the fifth minute when the ball broke to Gary Stewart in the penalty box, but his shot was turned round the post by Kris Robertson. Instead, it was the home side who broke the deadlock in the eighth minute. Richie Newall flighted over a free-kick from the left and DEREK WINGATE steered a header beyond Keith Ross. Robertson then made two fine saves from John Craig free-kicks, while Kenny McLean sent a woeful header wide when unmarked after 26 minutes. Robertson made another terrific stop to deny Andy Reid when the striker fired a low shot on the turn towards the bottom left-hand corner of the net. Pollok moved two ahead after 31 minutes when a long kick out by Robertson bounced in front of BRYAN DINGWALL, and the striker showed masterful technique to volley the ball over the head of Ross and into the net. Robertson was again called into action two minutes later when McLean was played in behind the defence, but the ‘keeper made an impeccably timed challenge to save at his feet. He continued the heroics when he tipped over a John Sheridan header from a Craig free-kick before Craig Palmer sent a diving header inches wide of the upright.

The second half opened with Wingate squandering a great chance for his second and Pollok’s third when he was afforded a free header from a Newall free-kick, but he sent the ball wide of the target. Craig Brittain curled an effort wide for the visitors before Davie Turnbull did likewise for ‘Lok. Quick thinking by Wingate helped John Sweeney find space on the right, and his cut-back was met by Dingwall, whose initial shot was blocked before he sliced the rebound wide. Beith were reduced to ten men after 72 minutes when Derek McCulloch was shown a second yellow card after a trip on substitute Robert Downs. There was further punishment for Beith when from the resulting free-kick DAVID McGEOWN towered above the defence to head home a third goal. McClay almost added a fourth when he spotted Ross off his line and aimed for goal from 40 yards out, only for his lob to float narrowly wide.

With six minutes left to play Wingate charged out of defence and set up Dingwall for a strike at goal, but his shot sailed high over the crossbar. As time ran down McLean missed the target twice from similar positions 20 yards from goal as Pollok held on comfortably to claim the three points that keep them very much in the hunt for the Championship this season.