Robert Downs (pen) 43
Andy Essler 90

Michael Daly 50

Pollok scraped through to the last 16 of the Citylink Scottish Junior Cup after an edgy replay victory against Kilsyth Rangers at Newlandsfield Park. Jim Sinnet made two changes to the side that had drawn at Duncansfield Park, with Davie Turnbull and a fit again Andy Essler returning for Pollok. David McGeown and Chris Cruickshank were the men who made way. Last week’s goalscorer for the visitors, Tony Martin, missed out through injury, with Lee Sichi his replacement.

Lok controlled the early exchanges, with the first chance falling to Turnbull who drove a 25-yard effort past the post of Michael Duke in the Kilsyth goal. A long ball from Kris Robertson then found Robert Downs, who flicked a pass to Essler, but his volley was also wide of the target. Stevie Miller was next to try his luck from the edge of the penalty area, but he sent a left footed volley over the crossbar. After 27 minutes Calum Hardie picked out Bryan Dingwall at the back post, but Duke made a fine save. From the resultant corner Andy McClay volleyed over. Nine minutes later good play by Turnbull and Hardie created a golden opportunity for Downs, but his sliding effort went wide from inside the six-yard area. Andy Thomson forced the first save from Robertson with a weak strike from 20 yards out before Pollok took the lead with three minutes of the half remaining. Ryan Carr tripped Dingwall inside the area and ROBERT DOWNS kept his composure to slot home the spot kick. He almost added a second before the interval, but Duke was equal to his 20-yard shot.

Kilsyth made a far brighter start to the second half, and Shaun Dillon was forced to clear from under his own bar within sixty seconds of the restart. Miller then swung over a deep cross for McClay, but he couldn’t quite stretch far enough to make a clean contact with the ball and could only send it wide of the post. In the 50th minute the visiting side evened the scoreline. Thomson crossed from the left and found the head of an unmarked MICHAEL DALY who nodded Kilsyth back on level terms. Jamie Valentine could have put them ahead moments later, but instead slice his shot wide. Pollok had strong penalty claims waved away after 57 minutes when Downs tumbled inside the area, but referee John Beaton had a different interpretation and booked the striker for simulation.

Derek Wingate had a header saved from a McClay free-kick and Miller headed wide from an Essler corner as ‘Lok pressed forward, and they were almost caught on the break as Thomson burst forward with two team-mates in support, but he tried to take on Robertson himself and was thwarted by an excellent block from the ‘keeper. His opposite number was also in fine form, making a terrific double stop after 75 minutes. Stevie Aitchison released Essler behind the defence, and after his shot rebounded from Duke he rolled a pass to Dingwall, only for the ‘keeper to block again. ‘Lok made a triple substitution, changing to a back four, before both sides were reduced to ten men.

Andy McGinty saw a second yellow for a late tackle on McGeown, who also saw red for his reaction to the challenge. With two minutes left to play Kilsyth substitute Scott Upton picked out fellow replacement Richard Bowers, but with only Robertson to beat he failed to control the pass and the chance was gone. He was made to pay as ‘Lok claimed the winner with just over 30 seconds remaining on the clock. Hardie shrugged off the challenge of Sichi to float a pinpoint cross onto the head of ANDY ESSLER, who stooped to nod Pollok into round five of the cup.

There they will meet either Thorniewood United or Maybole away from home on Valentines Day, while this Saturday they host Kirkintilloch Rob Roy, with kick off at 1.45pm.