Brian Wardle (80)

Robert Downs (19)
Bryan Dingwall (54)

Pollok returned to the summit of the Stagecoach Super Premier League with a narrow victory against a battling Neilston side at Brig O’ Lea Stadium.

Jim Sinnet made three changes for the game, with David McGeown, Davie Turnbull and Andy Essler all dropping out and Richie Newall, Robert Downs and Shaun Dillon stepping in. Pollok nearly opened the scoring with just 75 seconds on the clock when a corner found the head of Calum Hardie, only for Seamus McCafferty to claw away his powerful effort. It took until the 19th minute for ‘Lok to produce another meaningful attack, but it was to result in the opening goal of the game. Joe Carruth stepped in to make an interception at halfway and fed Hardie on the right wing. He returned the ball to Carruth at the bye-line, and his low cross found ROBERT DOWNS, who took a touch to control before shooting past McCafferty. Strike partner Bryan Dingwall blazed an effort just over from 25 yards before Neilston’s best chance of the half. Some sloppy defending by Pollok allowed Gary Flemming a shot at the back post, but his effort missed the target. Kris Robertson spilled a Michael Fulton shot for a corner, while at the other end Dingwall had a deflected drive saved by McCafferty. With four minutes left in the half an excellent advantage by referee Barry Cook allowed Dingwall the opportunity to break clear. He chipped a cross back to Newall, but his close range header flew narrowly wide. Stevie Miller also missed the target with a header as the half drew to a close.

The hosts spurned a great chance to level eight minutes into the second half when a mistake by Derek Wingate left Fulton with a clear run on goal, but he was denied by a superb save by Robertson. Sixty seconds later Pollok moved two goals clear. Hardie laid the ball off to Carruth, and his cross picked out Andy McClay at the back post. He nodded the ball back across to BRYAN DINGWALL, who found the net with a diving header from close range. McClay then curled a strike wide, while Flemming and Chris Seenan both tried their luck with shots from distance for the hosts, but both were easily gathered by Robertson. Stevie Aitchison made a welcome return from injury midway through the half when he replaced McClay, but he was unable to stop his side conceding with ten minutes left to play. A deep cross by Ross Gallacher found ex-Pollok player BRIAN WARDLE, and he looped a header beyond Robertson into the far corner of the net. Neilston forced a series of free-kicks late on, but the ‘Lok rearguard held firm to ensure that all three points would be heading to Newlandsfield.

With the scheduled league match with Glenafton Athletic next week now postponed it will be a fortnight before Pollok are back in action when they travel to face Kilbirnie Ladeside in the third round of the Citylink Scottish Junior Cup.