SCOTTISH CUP – Page 6 – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

Preston Athletic v Auchinleck Talbot

The players enter the field of play before kick-off in front of the applauding fans.

‘Gee’ tries to push away his opponent and keep hold of the ball.

‘Pee-wee’ heads the ball into the path of the incoming Samson, as he races into the box.

The Preston player is put under pressure from Gareth and Aiden.

The defender gets to the ball just before Boylan could pull the trigger but…

…the ball lands at the feet of ‘Gee’ but he fails to find the back of the net with his low strike.

‘Big Neily’ rises the highest to clear the danger.

Aiden Wilson gets to the ball first and heads the ball back up the park.

Preston go for the spectacular but the ball goes high over the crossbar.

Dwayne…I think the Talbot fan is telling you what direction to head with the ball.

McCracken gets brought down, as he tries to go on a run.

CHANCE!!! Gareth Armstrong finds space inside the box but he just can’t hit the target with his header.

Craig McCracken makes sure the danger gets cleared.

‘Tucker’ roars out the orders from the dugout.

Graham fires the ball up the wing, as the crowd closely watch the action.

Craig and Neil form Talbot’s first synchronized defence team in order to block this Preston shot but then…

…Craig blocks the immediate rebound strike, as the ball smacks off his body and then…

…Preston have a third go at goal but the shot goes high and wide.

These Talbot fans get ring side viewing of a wee altercation between the players.

RED CARD!!! Even though Preston win the foul, they get reduced to ten men, although Paul Currie argues his case before taking an early bath.

Samson tries to get there first but the Preston ‘keeper gathers the ball on the ground.

Keir Samson races up the wing but gets stopped in his tracks.

A sore one for Samson, as he gets bundled over.

Boylan finds that all roads are blocked, as he fights for the ball.

CHANCE FOR PRESTON!!! Preston find space inside the box to fire a header across the face of goal but…

…Big Andy pulls off a great save to push the ball round the post for a corner.

Aiden Wilson tries his luck from inside the box but his shot gets deflected out for a corner.

WHAT-A-CHANCE!!! McCracken rises and gets his head to the ball but can only watch the ball go agonisingly wide of the post.

OFFSIDE!!! Talbot come straight out the traps after the break and Samson firs the ball into the back of the net from close range but is deemed to be offside.

HAD-TO-BE, SURELY!!! Boylan races in on the ‘keeper, fires off a shot but the ‘keeper pulls off a great block to deny Bryan.

‘Pee-wee’ and Healy put the pressure on, as Preston keep their attack going.

Another aerial battle victory for McCracken.

Jamie looks to the sky and rues a missed chance.

ANOTHER CHANCE FOR TALBOT!!! Samson gets his head to the ball but fails to hit the target.

GOOOOAAAALLLL!!! Talbot FINALLY find the back of the net, as Jamie Glasgow fires a shot from outside the box and smashes the ball home. 0-1.

Stunned, happy and deflated all in one image!

Jamie lets out a celebratory roar after scoring, as ‘shankers’ grins from ear to ear.

GAME, SET & MATCH!!! In a blink of an eye Talbot double their lead, as Samson scores via an awkward header from close range. 0-2.

Keir begins to wheel away, as the Talbot faithful go absolutely beserk!

Preston try for a late consolation but fail to find the back of the net.

A couple of happy looking Talbot chappies!

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT

Talbot booked their place in the 3^rd round draw for the William Hill Scottish cup thanks to a couple of late goals which was enough to see off Preston at Pennypit park.

The breeze was in the home side’s favour in the first half and it was Preston who made the early running. They won a free kick in the 3^rd minute about 30 yards out on the left which Archibald hit for goal rather than crossing but his shot went straight at Leishman.

A minute later Talbot had a chance down the other end. The Preston defence didn’t cope with Samson’s long throw in from the right and it broke out to Boylan who squared it for Graham Wilson who fired at the keeper from 15 yards.

Seven minutes in a sloppy corner kick saw Talbot turn attack into defence. Healy’s corner from the left was easily cleared at the near post and the hosts raced onto the counter-attack; releasing Grotlin down the left but McPherson read it & got across to make the tackle.

Talbot almost took the lead in the 12^th minute. Samson won a corner on the right and when the ball came over Armstrong met it only to see his header deflected just past Newman’s right post.

The Bot put themselves under pressure again in the 20^th minute when Healy’s pass was intercepted in midfield allowing Preston to counter down the left. Once again McPherson was on hand to get across and beat Grotlin to it and put it out for a shy.

Preston were dealt a blow in the 23^rd minute when they went down to 10 men. Aiden Wilson conceded a free kick in the centre for a foul on Currie but the Preston midfielder reacted angrily, getting into Wilson’s face, and was sent off for foul language.

The loss of a man didn’t make any immediate impact and the game was at a stalemate; with neither side really threatening in the final third. Preston won a free kick 30 yards out following a clumsy challenge by Hyslop which Archibald took but Leishman wasn’t called upon as it sailed a yard over the bar.

The home side had a let off in the 33^rd minute. A ball up the right saw Boylan race clear in behind the defence and he drilled it across goal where Samson met it at the near post but it clipped the outside of the post and went behind.

As half time approached Talbot began to exert some pressure but without creating too much; although Talbot did have a gilt edged chance in the 43^rd minute. Boylan released Aiden Wilson on the left and his shot was blocked behind for the corner. When it came over McCracken raced onto it but glanced a free header wide of target from 6 yards out and the sides went in goal less at the break.

Tucker made a change at the interval with Jamie Glasgow coming on in place of Armstrong.

The Bot had an early chance soon after the re-start when a ball up the left found Boylan racing into the area but his shot was well saved by Newman.

Preston made their first change in the 52^nd minute when Young replaced Jack.

Leishman didn’t have the busiest of afternoons but he did well when called upon in the 55^th minute. A cross into the area was headed clear by McCracken but only came as far as Archibald whose low drive was held by Leishman low to his left.

Talbot threatened down the other end in the 56^th minute when they won a free kick out on the left. The home defence cleared it but it was quickly knocked back into the box where Hylsop headed it down to Boylan and Newman had to be alert to halt his drive from 15 yards that skipped up off the surface.

Two minutes later Talbot were back on the attack. Healy slid a good ball down the right channel that found Glasgow racing into the penalty area but he fired wide of target under pressure from a defender.

With 68 minutes gone Tucker made a double switch with Boylan & Hyslop making way for Shankland & Boyd.

In the 72^nd minute Shankland cut in off the left and tried his luck from 25 yards but his shot sailed over the crossbar.

Talbot had a real chance to grab the opener in the 76^th minute. Aiden Wilson pinged over a great cross from the left that found Samson free 10 yards out but he glanced his header well wide.

However two minutes later Talbot took the lead. Graham Wilson gathered midway inside the Preston half and tried to slide a ball through to Samson. The defender cleared it but the ball came to JAMIE GLASGOW who took a touch before rifling a left foot shot wide of the keeper & inside the left post from 22 yards.

The goal lifted Talbot & demoralised Preston with the Bot pushing hard for a 2^nd to kill the tie off and it duly came in the 83^rd minute. Stafford’s cross from the right was headed toward goal by Graham Wilson and KEIR SAMSON beat the keeper to it to head it over him and into the empty net.

Twice in the closing minutes Talbot came close to adding to their tally. In the 87^th minute Stafford played Glasgow in down the right and he skipped inside Innes before firing fractionally wide of the left post.

As the game headed into injury time Samson came in off the left & drilled a low shot from 20 yards that clipped the outside of the right post.

A good away win for Talbot, who weren’t at their best, but did enough on the day. Next up Talbot are back on the road, this time in the Scottish Junior cup where they travel across East Ayrshire to face Craigmark next Saturday.

Preston Athletic – Newman, Austin, Innes, O’Connor, O’Prior, Currie, Jack, Archibald, Grotlin, Malloy,

Somers

Subs – Forsyth, Young, McNeill, Hamilton, McCoolie, Stokes

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Armstrong, Healy, Hyslop, Graham Wilson, Boylan, Samson

Subs – Glasgow, Shankland, Boyd, Mason, Lyle, McDowall, White, Hewitt, Robbie McCracken

Preston Athletic

Irvine Meadow v Auchinleck Talbot

An early chance for Talbot but Boylan can only send his close range header over the bar.

The Talbot bench look on, as ‘Pee-wee’ tries to win the ball back.

WHAT-A-SAVE!!! Big Andy proves he’s still one of the best ‘keepers around, as he manages to stop a certain Meadow goal by clawing the ball away from right on the line. BRILLIANT!!!

Samson goes chasing in order to try and get the ball back.

FIRST BLOOD TO MEDDA!!! Irvine Meadow take the lead via a penalty. 1-0.

I think he’s happy at scoring that penalty.

The celebrations continue for Medda after taking an early lead in the game.

McPherson does his best to keep his Talbot team-mates motivated after going behind via that penalty.

The Talbot faithful watch the action, as Glasgow fires the ball down the park.

Another Talbot attack gets started, as Big Andy launches the ball forward.

WHAT-A-CHANCE!!! Glasgow slips the ball to Samson who fires a hard low strike towards goal, where the Medda ‘keeper pulls off a great save to stop him from scoring.

Keir manages to get to the rebound but before he could strike again, the Medda defender slides in to send the ball out for a Talbot corner instead.

McCracken stays close to his man in order to make sure he goes away from goal.

‘Tucker’ and ‘Whitey’ look on, while Kieran Healy tries to get another attack started.

LEISHMAN DOES IT AGAIN!!! Kyle Faulds races through on goal but his low strike gets stopped by the foot of Andy Leishman, who pulls off another brilliant save to keep Talbot in the game.

Ex-Talbot man, Sean McIlroy, tries to take the ball away from danger, while being put under pressure from Aiden Wilson.

TALBOT PULL LEVEL!!! Armstrong fires a low strike across goal and although Samson tries to get on the end of it, he needn’t have bothered because Gareth’s strike manages to find the back of the net anyway. 1-1.

The Talbot players and fans celebrate Armstrong’s leveler.

‘Shankers’ watches, as Healy tries to muscle the ball back off his opponent.

The Talbot drums get belted out but I can’t help but feel sorry for the drummers pal at having to hold the drum for him.

Although under pressure, Craig McCracken still manages to fire the ball up the park.

GOOOOOOAL!!! Talbot take the lead, as Mark Shankland’s strike from the edge of the box takes a wee deflection up and over into the back of the net. 1-2.

Mark wheels away to celebrate his goal in front of the jubilant fans.

The Meadow captain is left feeling dejected, while ‘Shankers’ and the Talbot faithful continue celebrating.

No amount of money can buy you the feeling of celebrating a Talbot goal in the ‘Big Scottish’. EEKA PEEKA PUKKA PO!!!

GAME, SET AND MATCH!!! Samson makes sure of the victory, as his low strike from inside the box finds the back of the net. 1-3.

I think Kieran is rather happy with your goal there Keir.

The Talbot players continue to celebrate Samson’s goal, while James Latta and Colin Spence look deflated at witnessing Talbot’s comeback.

The Talbot flags are out in force, as Hyslop wins the aerial battle in the middle of the park.

Although under pressure from two Medda players, Big Neily still manages to head the ball away from danger.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT

Talbot earned their place in the 2^nd round of the Scottish cup the hard way – having to come from a goal down to claim another away day win.

The Bot started the game reasonably well & did most of the early pressing. The first chance of the afternoon came Talbot’s way in the 6^th minute when Glasgow whipped a great cross over from the left that Boylan nodded over at the back post.

Slooves picked up an early caution when he was penalised for going straight through the back of Hyslop in the 8^th minute.

The Bot were on the attack again in the 10^th minute when Boylan raced across the pitch from right to left leaving McKie in his wake before sliding it back into the path of Healy who curled a shot wide of target from the edge of the area.

Up til now it had been pretty comfortable for Talbot but the 1^st warning sign came in the 13^th minute. Willett swung over a dangerous cross form the touchline that Boyd met at the back post. He headed it back across goal where Pooler met it for what looked a certain goal but somehow Leishman threw himself to his right to claw it away to safety.

Four minutes later and Talbot were caught out by a long diagonal ball down the right. Faulds burst forward into the Talbot box and as he headed for the bye line Wilson slid in to make the challenge. The visiting support thought it had went for a corner but the referee pointed to the spot and MCLENNAN gave Leishman no chance as he thumped it inside the left post to put Meadow 1-0 ahead.

Talbot tried to pick themselves up and Healy tested the keeper from 30 yards when he drilled a shot on target after being set up by Glasgow.

Leishman was called into action in the 27^th minute when Boyd gathered the ball on the left of the penalty area & fired a low shot at goal that Leishman held by his right post.

Meadow now had their best spell of the match, with Talbot finding themselves being pinned back in their own half, and conceding a number of free kicks and corners, all of which were resolutely defended.

In the 39^th minute Talbot were guilty of hesitancy at the edge of the Meadow area following a corner kick, allowing Martin to nick in & carry it up the centre before Boylan sent him crashing, resulting in a booking for Talbot’s striker.

The home side were in control but Talbot had a great chance to level in the 40^th minute on the counter-attack. Glasgow broke swiftly through the centre, carrying the ball up to the Meadow area before slipping the ball wide to release Samson through on goal. He raced through on the keeper but couldn’t beat Winters who managed to block his shot behind for the corner and Talbot went in a goal adrift at the interval.

Just as they had at the start of the match, Talbot made a positive start to the 2^nd half. In the 47^th minute Glasgow hooked the ball up the line to release Boylan down the right. He charged forward before pulling it back where Healy ran onto it but sent his low drive wide of target from 16 yards.

Two minutes later Talbot were back on the attack when Armstrong got the better of Faulds in the centre before sliding a pass up the right to Boylan. He whipped a dangerous cross over to the far post where McKie did well to head it behind.

The home side made the 1^st change of the afternoon in the 52^nd minute when they replaced one ex-Bot forward with another with Pooler making way for McIlroy.

A minute later Hyslop had his name taken for a late challenge on Slooves.

The pivotal moment of the match arrived in the 56^th minute. Stafford underhit a square pass to Armstrong allowing Faulds the chance to intercept midway inside the Talbot half. Faulds raced clean through on Leishman & looked a certainty to put Meadow 2 ahead but Leishman raced off his line & made a crucial save with his outstretched leg to turn Faulds shot away.

This spurred Talbot into life and within two minutes the Bot were level. Hyslop laid the ball out to GARETH ARMSTRONG on the right edge of the penalty area & he drilled it back across goal and into the opposite corner to make it 1-1.

Meadow were fortunate not to be a man down in the 59^th minute when Faulds reacted angrily after a tangle with Stafford. He clearly raised his hands but the referee bottled the decision and booked both players.

Talbot made their first change in the 62^nd minute when Shankland came on in place of Boylan.

It was now all Talbot and Meadow’s keeper had to pull off an impressive stop in the 66^th minute to prevent Armstrong from grabbing his 2^nd of the afternoon. Glasgow’s ball from the right wasn’t dealt with by the Meadow defence and it broke for Armstrong whose low strike was heading into the bottom corner but for Winters save.

The keeper was involved again a minute later. Talbot won a free kick out on the left that Shankland swept toward the back post where the keeper punched clear under pressure from Hyslop.

Meadow now made a further change with Carnwath on for Martin.

Samson very nearly put Talbot ahead in the 71^st minute. A shy into the penalty area wasn’t dealt with & it broke to Samson who fired a left foot shot off the inside of Winters’ left post. The ball spun across the face of goal where Glasgow just couldn’t reach it to tap it home.

The goal wasn’t long delayed though and a minute later Talbot moved in front. A cross from the left was headed down by Hyslop and came to MARK SHANKLAND who met it on the half volley to send a shot sailing inside the right post.

The large travelling support had barely stopped celebrating when Talbot grabbed their 3^rd of the afternoon in the 74^th minute.

Talbot were awarded a free kick 35 yards out that Shankland flighted into the centre. Once again the defence failed to clear their lines and the ball fell to KIER SAMSON who drilled a low strike inside the right post to put Talbot 3-1 ahead.

With 12 minutes to go Talbot made their 2^nd change with Graham Wilson coming on for the tiring Glasgow.

Meadow looked shell shocked by Talbot’s comeback and offered little threat in the closing stages.

In the 83^rd minute Talbot made their final change when Boyd came on to replace Samson.

As the game moved into added time Talbot almost added a fourth. Boyd won the ball in midfield before swiftly releasing it to Healy on the right. He stroked the ball across the 6-yard area where Shankland was waiting in front of goal but he couldn’t sort his feet out and he failed to connect with it.

Deep into added time Findlay received a yellow card after he up-ended Graham Wilson when he cut in past him off the left wing.

Another thrilling comeback from Talbot who again produced the goods when the chips were down. It’s back to cup duty and back to the road for Talbot next Saturday as they travel to face Carluke Rovers in the Scottish Junior cup.

Irvine Meadow – Winters, McKie, Willett, Findlay, Whyte, McLennan, Faulds, Slooves, Pooler, Boyd, Martin

Subs – McIlroy, Carnwath, Bilham, McLoy

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Craig McCracken, Healy, Armstrong, Hyslop, Boylan, Glasgow, Samson

Subs – Graham Wilson, Shankland, Boyd, McDowall, Robbie McCracken, Lyle

Chris Stafford

SPONSORED: Colin Mitchell, Ashley Gardiner (Event Vocally)

BIO: Chris was on loan from Greenock Morton FC until the end of the 2022 season, and then joined the club at the start of the 2022/23 campaign. He started his career at Celtic Community Academy and Johnstone Boys Club before moving to Morton in 2013. He moved to the Morton reserves in 2019 where he had loan spells at Johnstone Burgh and Cumnock.

Own Goal

Tarek Abed

SPONSORED BY: Coal Road Loyal Talbot Supporters. Colin Mitchell.

JOINED TALBOT: August 2023

D.O.B: 19/04/2002

TALBOT DEBUT: 19/08/2023 v Clydebank WOSL Premier Division. Lost 1-0

FIRST TALBOT GOAL: v Wigtown & Bladnoch, Scottish Cup Preliminary Round 2, 02/09/2023, won 12-0.

FORMER TEAMS: Kilmarnock, Forfar, Gretna 2008

Aaron Mason

Willie Boyd

SPONSORED BY: James Latta Plumbing

JOINED TALBOT: July 2014, July 2021.

DOB: 04/10/1994

TALBOT DEBUT: Lugar Boswell (Home), 9th August 2014, Ardagh League Cup 7-0

FIRST COMPETITIVE GOAL: Glenafton Athletic, 9th May 2016, WJFA Premier Division 2-0

FORMER CLUBS: Queens Park U20’s, Greenock U20’s, Largs Thistle, Auchinleck Talbot, Dalry Thistle, Lostock St Gerards FC.

Arbroath v Auchinleck Talbot

Auchinleck Talbot v Arbroath

Rab Douglas puts the Arbroath ‘keeper through his paces before kick-off.

The Talbot boys gather round to listen to McLuckie’s team talk.

‘Gee’ gets fouled and the Arbroath player airs his view to the linesman.

Boylan gets beaten to the ball by the ‘Lichties’ defender.

While running through on goal, Keir Samson gets bundled over but no penalty was given.

Big Nielly looks shocked after being deemed to have fouled the Arbroath player.

The Talbot wall does it’s job and blocks the way through for this Arbroath free-kick.

WHAT A STRIKE!!! Talbot open the scoring as ‘Pee-wee’ curls in a beauty of a shot from the edge of the box. 1-0.

The Arbroath ‘keeper does his best but there was NO-WAY he was stopping Dwayne’s shot.

Everybody associated with Black ‘n’ Gold goes wild and celebrates Talbot’s opener.

Craig and Stephen make sure there is little room for manoeuvre for this Arbroath player.

‘Tucker’ roars out the orders from the sidelines.

No-one is gonna beat McCracken to the ball here.

The Talbot players stand their ground, as they try to block this Arbroath strike.

McPherson does his job, as the bumper crowd watch from the terraces.

Samson gets tripped in front of the Talbot dugout while racing up the park.

The large crowd look on, as Keir tries to keep hold of the ball inside the box.

Graham shows great foot work, as he coolly controls the ball in the air.

Another free-kick for Arbroath and Stephen Wilson shouts out the instructions.

In front of the away dugout, Kieran Healy chases after the ball.

Bryan Boylan uses his strength to fend off this challenge and keep hold of the ball.

Healy launches the ball back down the middle of the park.

Dick Campbell and Rab Douglas point out where they want the ball to go.

‘Gee’ takes a hefty challenge in front of ‘Tucker’ and the Talbot bench.

Glasgow goes on the attack and races into the Arbroath box.

‘Shankers’ closely marks his man in the hope of getting the ball back.

Talbot’s heart gets broken, as Arbroath pull level via a late penalty. 1-1.

The Arbroath fans go absolutely beserk (and rightly so) after seeing their team equalise from the spot.

Mark tries to get one final attack motoring for Talbot before the final whistle.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

Talbot came oh so close to claiming another SPL scalp in the Scottish Cup but a soft late penalty saw Arbroath live to fight another day.

The Bot nearly made a dream start when Pope let fly from distance inside the first minute & Gaston was forced to turn it wide of the post.

The home support loudly appealed for a spot kick in the 8th minute when Samson appeared to be barged over from behind inside the area but the officials waved it away. The ball was then swept to the other end where Spence was nudged over 30 yards out & this time the ref gave the free kick. Linn took it but drilled it straight into the wall.

With 11 minutes on the clock Talbot took the lead via a special finish. Graham Wilson showed good control out on the left before laying the ball down the line to Boylan. He switched it inside to DWAYNE HYSLOP who curled a peach of a shot beyond Gaston & inside the far left post to put Talbot ahead.

Two minutes later Boylan won Talbot a corner down the left. It was taken short to Stephen Wilson & he whipped a good cross into the centre that O’Brien headed clear.

Arbroath now had a decent spell of pressure but nothing to show for it. Linn gathered on the left & squared it inside to Donnelly whose shot from 20 yards was blocked. The visitors next attack saw McKenna play it into Spence on the right of the area but McCracken was quickly across to snuff out the danger.

The referee wasn’t winning any friends at Beechwood and didn’t win any new admirers when two decisions in quick succession went against the Bot. He awarded Arbroath a free kick just outside the Talbot box when an Arbroath player went down. Hamilton took it but slipped as ran up to to the ball & hit it tamely into the wall.

At the opposite end Stephen Wilson fed the ball out right to find Samson & he looked to be impeded by Hamilton as he cut inside him but the referee saw nothing amiss.

Leishman produced a top class save to keep Talbot ahead in the 28th minute. A ball from the right found its way to Murphy 16 yards out & his shot skipped off the turf & was heading inside the right post until Leishman pushed it wide.

Talbot’s keeper produced an equally impressive stop four minutes later. The Bot defence failed to cut out a diagonal ball over from the left & O’Brien ran onto it on the right of the area. He hammered a shot at goal but Leishman had flew off his line to narrow the angle & make the block.

A minute later Talbot won a free kick inside the Arbroath half when Samson was caught. Pope lifted it beyond the back post where Hyslop headed it back across toward Samson but he was crowded out.

The Bot had another half chance minutes later. Hyslop was bundled over in midfield & Pope arrowhead the free kick out to Graham Wilson on the left. He instantly controlled it & slipped a pass into Boylan inside the area but he took a heavy first touch & the chance was lost.

In the 37th minute Graham Wilson latched onto a ball up the right & knocked it inside to Samson who burst into the right of the penalty area. He hit a tempting ball across the face of goal that went a begging as there was no one running in at the far post to supply the finish.
Five minutes before the interval a long throw from the right broke to McKenna 16 yards out; however, he was quickly closed down & had to take it first time, firing well over the bar.

The half ended with a Talbot attack fizzling out and an Arbroath counterattack. Pope lifted it up the line to find Graham Wilson who held the ball up before switching play to the other wing to find Samson breaking into the area but the ball broke away from him. Hamilton now played it quickly into the Bot half where Hyslop bundled Murphy over resulting in a free kick 30 yards out. Linn took it short, squaring it for O’Brien to hit but he blasted it well wide and Talbot trooped off one ahead.

The visitors made a change at half-time with Murphy remaining in the clubhouse & Stewart on in his stead.

Both sides were playing at hammer & tongs pace and the 2nd half started evenly with neither side giving any quarter and neither side making any headway in the final third.

The first opening of the 2nd period came Talbot’s way in the 58th minute. Samson picked up on the right & angled a great early ball over to find Graham Wilson in space on the left. He tried to play in Hyslop on the right of the box but there was too much on his pass.

A minute later Arbroath threatened when Gold got free on the right & whipped a great cross over to the back post but there were no runners at the far post.

On the hour mark Gold was on defensive duties when he did well to cut out Samson’s ball in from the right that was heading for Boylan til he managed to cut it out & slide it out for the shy.

Arbroath were becoming frustrated & this showed when O’Brien carried it forward & tried a wildly ambitious effort from 35 yards that sailed harmlessly over the bar.

The visitors now made a further change with Campbell on in place of Spence.

In the 64th minute Linn raced up the right before firing a low ball into the near post. It was cut out and came to Gold who sprawled over looking for a penalty but the ref wasn’t interested.

A minute later Talbot had a good chance on the break. Space opened up for Boylan as he ran towards the box down the left; he had Graham Wilson in space to his right but failed to pick him out and the move came to nothing.

Donnelly ought to have levelled it in the 66th minute. A good ball over from the left found him stretching to get on the end of it in front of goal. He made contact but somehow lifted it over the bar from inside the 6-yard area.

Tucker now made a double switch with Glasgow & Shankland replacing Boylan & Samson.

Arbroath threatened again soon after when a ball from the left broke kindly for Stewart 20 yards out. He rifled a fierce shot at goal which Pope headed clear.

The game was becoming stretched & Talbot put together a decent move when McCracken flighted a ball down the right to find Glasgow just outside the area. He lifted an early cross in that Wheatley headed clear. Talbot kept the pressure on though & were awarded with a free kick 20 yards out when Graham Wilson was wrestled down out on the right. Shankland delivered it into the danger zone where Stephen Wilson just failed to connect in front of goal but it wouldn’t have counted anyway as the linesman’s flag went up.

Shankland was involved again in the 73rd minute. He slid a pass through toward Glasgow that would have sent him clean through on goal but O’Brien did well to intercept.

A second goal for Talbot would have finished it and the Bot had a half chance with 12 minutes remaining. Leishman launched a free kick down field which Hyslop nodded on to Glasgow on the right. He played it across the area where it fell to Graham Wilson 15 yards out but he sliced his shot wide of target.

With nine minutes remaining Arbroath made their final change when Kader came on for Linn.

Six minutes from time Talbot conceded a soft penalty. A ball from the right came into the area & Graham Wilson went to challenge Stewart. There didn’t appear to be any contact but the ref judged that his boot had been raised and pointed to the spot. MCKENNA stepped up to the plate & although Leishman guessed right he had no chance as he drilled it low inside the left post.

Talbot now made their last change with McDowall coming on for Healy.

Right at the end Arbroath had a late chance to sneak the win. Stewart got away on the right & delivered a dangerous cross into the centre that Leishman stretched to punch away. It came out to McKenna 15 yards out but his shot was charged down by McPherson.

The final whistle saw the Bot fans with mixed feelings, pride at the display warring with disappointment the Bot hadn’t held out for the win and so now Talbot make the trek north to Arbroath this Wednesday coming for the replay at Gayfield.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, McCracken, Healy, Hyslop, Stephen Wilson, Graham Wilson, Boylan, Samson

Subs – Glasgow, Shankland, McDowall, Young, White, Aiden Wilson, Hewitt

Arbroath – Gaston, Hamilton, Little, O’Brien, Wheatley, Gold, McKenna, Murphy, Spence, Donnelly, Linn

Subs – Doris, Swankie, Kader, Stewart, Stirling, Campbell, Jamieson