David McGeown (29, 53)
Bryan Dingwall (33)
Simon Black (89)

Johnny McMillan (25)
Ian Cashmore (77)

Pollok kept alive their hopes of retaining the Stagecoach Super Premier League title as they defeated Cumnock 4-2 at Newlandsfield Park. Pollok’s injury woes continued, with Simon Black the latest former player to be drafted back into the playing squad as Harry Erwin continued to do without the services of a number of first choice players.

First to threaten for Pollok was David McGeown who played a neat one-two with Robert Downs before shooting from the edge of the box, but his weak effort was easily gathered by Graham Potter. At the other end Ian Cashmore sent a drive narrowly wide, while John McMillan also missed the target with an overhead kick. A Joe Gold through ball then released McMillan wide on the right, and it took a well timed clearance by Chris Cruickshank to prevent ‘Lok from falling behind. Gareth Campbell found space behind the Pollok defence after 24 minutes, but his first touch was poor and Derek Wingate recovered to clear the danger. The reprieve was brief however, as Pollok fell behind sixty seconds later. Shaun Dillon missed a tackle on JOHN McMILLAN, and he punished ‘Lok by slamming the ball home from 18 yards out.

Four minutes later Pollok restored parity when Dillon’s cross from the left was cleared as far as the edge of the area, and DAVID McGEOWN was waiting to drill home a low shot. McGeown then curled a strike just wide before Pollok moved ahead after 33 minutes. John Sweeney’s throw-in was headed goalwards by Downs, only to be headed off the line by Andy Cripps. The ball arrived back at Sweeney, and he crossed to BRYAN DINGWALL who headed home from close range. McGeown then sent a diving header wide, while Cumnock almost equalised when McMillan’s free-kick was headed on by Cashmore to Cripps, but Kris Robertson made a terrific low reaction save to preserve his side’s advantage at the interval.

Robertson was called into action early in the second period when he stopped a 35-yard strike by Gold before Campbell mishit a shot wide for the visitors. Pollok made it 3-1 after 53 minutes when McGeown fed Andy Essler on the left before continuing his run. Essler swung over a pinpoint cross that DAVID McGEOWN nodded beyond Potter. McGeown’s hopes of a hat-trick ended when he limped off injured to be replaced by Richie Newall, and Cumnock set up a nervy finish when they pulled a goal back after 77 minutes. McMillan crossed from the right, and an unmarked IAN CASHMORE headed past Robertson to make it 3-2. Two minutes later home hearts were in mouths when Gold’s shot on the turn struck the base of the post and rebounded to safety. Robertson pushed over a free-kick by McMillan as the pressure intensified on the Newlandsfield side.

Black replaced Downs with six minutes left to play, and he made a dream return when he sealed the game with one minute to go. Again Essler provided a cross from the left, and SIMON BLACK looped a header up and over Potter and into the net. Pollok almost added a fifth in injury time when Dillon played in Essler, but his thunderous drive struck the bottom of the crossbar and bounced to safety.

The result keeps Pollok in the hunt for the title, but consigns Cumnock to First Division football next season as they will finish second bottom of the Premier League.