Kevin MacDonald (90)

Derek Wingate (17)
Stevie Miller (76 pen)

Pollok gained revenge for their defeat by Kirkintilloch Rob Roy at Newlandsfield Park earlier in the season by battling their way to a crucial three points at Adamslie Park. Club captain Stevie Aitchison was back from holiday, but Harry Erwin chose to stick with the same personnel who had beaten Cumnock on Saturday.

There was early danger for the visitors when Michael Hughes sent over a dangerous low ball from the left, but Kris Robertson held well. Hughes then narrowly failed to reach a Grant Anderson cross as the hosts made the faster start. Bryan Dingwall sent the ball wide from a tricky position after a header by Shaun Dillon before Hughes had a low header from a corner blocked by the legs of Robertson. From another David Gray corner Shaun Molloy sent a half-volley goalwards, only to see it blocked on the line by Joe Carruth. It was against the run of play that Pollok took the lead after 17 minutes. Andy Essler’s inswinging corner was too good for Kevin Bell to deal with, and DEREK WINGATE nodded home from within a yard of the goal.

Dillon then tried his luck with a 35-yard effort that Bell easily gathered. At the other end a deep free-kick found the head of Brian Wardle, who flicked on to Steven Dymock, but his header landed on the roof of the net. The game turned in the 23rd minute when a late challenge by Billy Jones on David McGeown was deemed worthy of a red card by referee Kevin Clancy and the hosts were reduced to ten men. Pollok began to take control with their extra man, with Robert Downs pulling a shot across the face of goal in the 38th minute. Three minutes later another Essler corner caused problems for Rob Roy, with Stevie Miller’s header having to be cleared off the line.

Pollok opened the second half with their most inventive move of the game when Downs and McGeown combined to set up Dingwall, but he lifted his shot over the crossbar. Dingwall turned provider with a cross to Downs, but Bell held his effort easily. In the 58th minute Kevin MacDonald’s long free-kick found Hughes and he laid it off to Anderson. The winger took aim, but his well struck shot hit the outside of the post. Simon Black was brought on for Robert Downs before ‘Lok claimed their second in controversial circumstances. A long through ball was taken by Bell under pressure from Dingwall, with the striker going to ground. The assistant referee flagged to indicate that Bell had raked his studs across Dingwall’s thigh, and a penalty kick was awarded. STEVIE MILLER kept a cool head to despatch the ball into the net from the spot kick. John Sweeney headed wide from a Black cross before a late rally from the hosts.

With three minutes remaining Robertson collected a Gray free-kick at the second attempt, but he was powerless two minutes later as Rob Roy made it 1-2. Gray’s corner was turned goalwards by Molloy, and KEVIN MacDONALD stabbed home from close range to give Kirkintilloch hope. They nearly grabbed a stunning draw when Anderson unleashed a fierce drive in injury time, only for Robertson to make a magnificent save to tip the ball onto the bar and thus secure a vital three points for his club.

While the performance may not have been pretty, the result was all important and keeps the pressure on Irvine Meadow XI before they visit Newlandsfield on league duty on Wednesday evening.