| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 |  Pollok | 27 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 46 |
| 5 |  Largs Thistle | 26 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 44 |
| 6 |  Auchinleck Talbot | 23 | 13 | 3 | 7 | 42 |
| 7 |  Cumnock | 28 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 41 |
| 8 |  Darvel | 23 | 11 | 5 | 7 | 38 |
| 9 |  Benburb FC | 27 | 11 | 5 | 11 | 38 |
SPONSORED BY: Unison, Show Racism the Red Card, Leighton McBlain
JOINED TALBOT: July 2017 – September 2022. REJOINED TALBOT: October 2023
D.O.B: 27/11/1993
TALBOT DEBUT: 02/08/2017 v Glenafton Athletic, League Cup, Home, Lost 1-0
FIRST TALBOT GOAL: v 09/08/2017 v Lugar Boswell Thistle, League Cup, Away, Won 5-0
FORMER TEAMS: Darvel, Auchinleck Talbot, Camelon, East Stirling
Talbot showed their intent when they broke up-field where Keir Samson whipped a cross into the box for the incoming Mark Shankland to crash a header off the bar and following an almighty scramble the loose ball was safely gathered by keeper Craig Burns.
This triggered a sustained period of Talbot pressure where Talbot notched up a series of corner kicks a few of which came close to providing the opening goal with Pope and McIlroy going close.
Talbot won a number of corners another in quick succession and on 22 minutes the ball fell for Mark Shankland on the outskirts of the box to crack an unstoppable dipping shot into net.
Talbot came close to doubling their lead on the half hour mark after another clever run by McIlroy took him to the edge of the “D” before lashing an angled shot which although it beat Burns at full stretch the ball bounced of the post and was eventually snapped up by Shankland to drive deep into the box only for the keeper to pull off a stunning block.
On 34 minutes McIlroy slipped the ball into the box for Calvin Kemp to take a touch before slamming the ball home from the corner of the six yard box to make it 2-0
Three minutes before the break and against the run of play the Glens halved the deficit when Kit Cummins drilled the ball low into the corner of the net beyond the advancing Leishman.
In the second half Kemp smacked a shot from just outside the left-hand side of box that cracked off the far post. Shankland drilled the loose ball low along the face of the goal where Kemp contrived to miss the empty net and fire the ball over the bar from 2 yards.
On 50 minutes another Talbot corner kick produced a fantastic point blank save by Burns from a Pope header and the ball scrambled to safety. Talbot doubled their lead on 58 minutes after a ball played in from the right found Shankland in the box with time and space to pick his spot and blast the ball home from 10 yards out.Six minutes later and Burns pulled off another point blank save by sticking out a foot to stop Steven White’s close-range shot.
Talbot continued to press and Burns was forced into another good save blocking Neil McPherson’s effort and soon after he stopped a low shot from White. On 72 minutes however the visitors extended their lead as Glens were made to pay after giving away possession to allow Shankland to push down the left unimpeded before whipping the ball to the back post where the incoming Kemp guided the ball into the net from close range.
With the last kick of the game Craig McCracken through on goal slotted the ball beyond advancing Burns to make it 5-1 for Talbot and complete the scoring .
Photographs by Paul Flynn.
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Talbot have the league wrapped up but that hasn’t blunted their desire to win and the Bot wrapped up their home fixtures with a 2-0 win over Pollok.
The opening exchanges belonged to the visitors with Pollok looking lively. They forced a few corners that the Bot defence dealt well with before winning a free kick in a decent area. Lyle conceded a free kick out on the right for a nudge of Stuart McCann. Young curled it in but Pope headed clear.
The first effort at goal came after 10 mins. Coutts fired in a low cross that broke out to Young at the edge of the area & he curled a shot high & wide of the left post.
For all Pollok’s pressure they hadn’t threatened Talbot’s goal and the first close call of the match fell Talbot’s way after quarter of an hour. A free kick was lifted up the left wing to Graham Wilson and he hooked over a cross that Hyslop headed against the crossbar with the keeper beaten. The ball rebounded out to Armstrong whose 1st shot was blocked and then his follow up effort slid wide of the left post.
Talbot took the lead after 24 minutes aided in part by a goalkeeping error. Talbot won a shy out on the right that Samson hurled into the centre. The Lok rearguard failed to clear their lines and it came to Glasgow on the left of the area. He dinked a cross over that Lumsden came for but missed and KEIR SAMSON bundled it home.
Pollok made a change half an hour in with Fraser making way for McCluskey.
Two mins later we had the 1st booking of the match; Henry receiving a caution for a cynical block on McCracken as he raced upfield.
The Lok defence were stretched in the 37th minute when Graham Wilson surged forward before releasing the ball out left to Glasgow. He returned the ball back into the path of Graham Wilson but Morton did well to intercept and turn it behind for the corner.
Talbot’s next attack saw McCracken charge out of defence before releasing it to Samson. He in turn fed it to Graham Wilson on the right who swung a dangerous cross but there was no in the centre to convert.
Leishman produced a top save to maintain Talbot’s lead in the 40th minute. When the ball was squared in field off the right to Morton he looked too far out to shoot but he had other ideas and his low drive from 35 yards plus was heading inside the left post til Leishman dived to turn it behind.
A min before the interval Glasgow picked up a caution for a shove on Gary McCann. Young took the free kick and lifted it into the centre where it was headed clear. However it only came out to Morton whose diagonal ball found Gary McCann racing free down the right. He cut it back into the path of Forde who failed to hit the target; steering a shot wide from 10 yards out. In the closing action of the half Samson picked up a very soft caution.
Talbot started the 2nd half positively and Pope’s cross in the 48th minute looked destined to be headed home at the back post until Evans stretched to head it away from a clutch of waiting players.
Tucker made his first change after 53 mins with Shankland coming on for Glasgow.
The next chance came because of Pollok’s inability to cope with Samson’s throw in. He hurtled it into the centre where it fell to Graham Wilson with his back to goal. He teed it up for Stephen Wilson but his shot was blocked.
In the 58th minute Talbot cut through the Lok defence. Pope played it into the feet of Shankland & he dispatched it to the left to find Graham Wilson racing clear. He whipped over a cross that flashed across the face of goal before being put behind for a corner at the back post. When the corner came in it was headed on into the path of Graham Wilson who blasted home but the flag was up before he hit it.
On the hour mark Pollok paid the penalty for failing to deal with another Samson throw. This time when the shy came in the Lok defender missed it in the air & when it skipped up off the surface he controlled it with his arm. The ref pointed to the spot and GORDON POPE duly dispatched it into the bottom corner to put Talbot 2-0 ahead.
Tucker now made another two substitutions; firstly McDowall coming on for Samson and this was shortly followed by McIlroy replacing Graham Wilson.
The next effort at goal came in the 66th minute. A Shankland corner from the right came across to Pope on the left of the area & he hammered it over the bar on the half-volley.
Two minutes later Shankland tested the keeper. McDowall won a header in midfield that landed at Shankland 40 yards out. He spotted the keeper out of position and opted to hit it early forcing Lumsden to scramble across to his right to keep out his shot.
Pollok now made their 2nd change with Forde making way for Anson.
With quarter of an hour remaining Pollok had a penalty shout when McCluskey drove a cross in from the left that hit Lyle. Pollok appealed for handball but the ref dismissed their claims.
Morton talked his way into the ref’s notebook in the 79th minute. He was fortunate to escape a caution for deliberate handball when he prevented Stephen Wilson from knocking the ball past him but kept on at the ref until he did book him. Shankland took the free kick and lifted it into the near post where it was gathered by McIlroy who forced the corner. When the corner came over Hyslop saw his header blocked into the path of McDowall. His shot was also blocked by a defender and spun to Hyslop 16 yards out who curled a shot just wide of the left post.
Talbot threatened to extend their lead with 8 mins remaining. A swift break involving Stephen Wilson & Shankland saw the ball shifted out left to McDowall. He crossed it over to the far post where McIlroy laid it back across goal for Shankland who hooked a shot at goal that was blocked in the goal mouth.
A minute later Lumsden was at full stretch to deny Talbot their third. Armstrong mishit it but it ended up the perfect cross for Stephen Wilson whose header was headiing inside the left post til Lumsden dived full length to make the stop.
Talbot were finishing with a flourish and Pope tried his luck from 35 yards after being set up Shankland; firing wide of the right post.
It was all Talbot in the closing stages but Pollok held out without conceding another.
After the final whistle Talbot were ‘presented’ with their winners medals and the league trophy they’d earned the hard way hauling back Hurlford’s massive lead one win at a time.
Next up for Talbot is an away trip to Bellsdale to face Beith this Saturday before next weekend’s Scottish Junior final with Largs Thistle.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, McCracken, Armstrong, Hyslop, Stephen Wilson, Graham Wilson, Glasgow, Samson
Subs – McIlroy, Shankland, McDowall, Kemp, Harvey
Pollok – Lumsden, Coutts, Morton, Evans, Sideserf, Henry, Gary McCann, Fraser, Stuart McCann, Forde, Young
Subs – Anson, Watt, McCluskey, McWilliams, Urquhart (gk)
Photographs by Paul Flynn.
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
A last minute winner gave Talbot all three points at Guy’s Meadow and ensured the Bot maintained their 100% record away from home; notching up their 13th win on the road.
Rob Roy made the more promising start, forcing a series of corners, without troubling Leishman in the Bot goal.
The Rabs won a free kick 40 yards out in the 6th minute which Ramage optimistically hit for goal; firing well over the bar.
At the other end Waite swept over a dangerous cross that Gordon punched clear as McDowall challenged him for the ball.
Twelve minutes in Pope sent a good ball down the left to find Samson who cut into the area on his right foot & steered a low shot on target that Gordon comfortably held.
McDowall had a good chance to put Talbot ahead in the 19th minute. He won a corner out on the left which Shankland played deep beyond the back post. Pope cushioned a header back across goal where McDowall ran onto it only to blaze over the bar from 6 yards.
The Bot’s next attack saw Shankland dink a ball between two defenders to free Waite down the right. He raced onto it before drilling a great low ball across the goal mouth that only needed a touch but there were no takers.
Talbot took the lead in the 23rd minute. A free kick out on the right was pinged to the opposite wing where it floated over the head of McLean. McDowall nipped in behind him, took a good first touch and drilled it low across goal where KEIR SAMSON stretched out a leg to turn it home.
The home side had an opportunity to draw level in the 26th minute. Carroll won a duel in the air just outside the area & reacted first to the loose ball; racing through on the left but he pulled his shot wide of the right post as Leishman advanced on him.
Shankland did well a few minutes later; robbing Forrester of the ball out on the right before hitting it low across the 6-yard area where Samson managed to get a flick on it but not enough to put it in.
Talbot were pushing hard for a 2nd goal and nearly achieved it in the 36th minute. Shankland headed on Samson’s long throw and it came to Stephen Wilson whose header looked destined for the back of the net til it was deflected just over off a defender.
For all that it was Talbot doing the pressing the Bot had Leishman to thank for maintaining their lead when he produced a top quality save in the 43rd minute; flying to his left to turn Mackie’s 20 yard effort round the post to ensure Talbot went in a goal in front at half-time.
It was the Bot who started the 2nd half quickest and Waite nearly doubled Talbot’s advantage in the 53rd minute. Shankland laid the ball off to Stephen Wilson & he slid it out right to find Waite who fired a shot back across goal & just past the right post with Gordon rooted to the spot.
Two minutes later McDowall met a cross from the right sending his header wide of the left post.
Stephen Wilson was next to have a go; gathering the ball in midfield he surged through the centre before firing a shot just over the bar from 25 yards.
The Rabs goal was leading a charmed life and Talbot came close again in the 57th minute. McDowall lifted a ball in from the left to find Shankland around the penalty spot & he volleyed it on the outside of his boot narrowly wide of Gordon’s right post.
With 62 minutes gone Rob Roy made a change with Slattery on for Toughy in the middle.
Gordon kept the Rabs in it with a superb save in the 67th minute. McDowall carried it forward before sliding a pass in toward Samson. The defence cut it out but the ball came straight back to McDowall who drilled it for the bottom corner only for Gordon to dive low to his left to turn it round the post.
Tucker made a double substitution after 72 mins with Glasgow & Graham Wilson coming on in place of Shankland & Samson.
Pope received a caution with quarter of an hour remaining when he caught Gallacher. Rob Roy now made their 2nd change with Daly on in place of Hughes.
Rob Roy passed up a good chance to equalise with 12 mins remaining. Gallacher got past Pope down the right & was brought down just wide of the penalty area by McPherson. Gallacher whipped the free kick over & Carroll met it only to send his free header well wide of the left post.
A minute later the Rabs threatened again. Daly latched onto a long diagonal ball on the left wing, cutting in on his right foot & firing a shot just over the bar.
Tucker now made his final change with Armstrong replacing Stephen Wilson.
In the 83rd min Rob Roy made their last change with Sawyers coming on for McLean.
With 5 minutes remaining Rob Roy made it 1-1. Daly gathered on the right and played a low ball back across beyond the far post where CARROLL rushed in to side-foot it home.
Within 2 minutes of falling behind Talbot had a golden chance to regain the lead. Waite raced free down the right & pulled a cross back straight onto the head of McDowall who headed it wide of the left post from 8 yards out.
In the final minute of regulation time Talbot won a free kick inside the Rabs half when Ramage clipped Pope’s heels as he raced forward; resulting in a booking for the Rabs midfielder. The free kick was lifted into the box where McDowall headed it on into the path of Graham Wilson whose shot was well saved by Gordon. The rebound came out to Glasgow who crashed it into the roof of the net but the linesman came to Rob Roy’s rescue; judging Wilson to have been offside when he shot.
Just when it looked like Talbot would have to content themselves with a share of the spoils the Bot produced a last gasp winner deep into injury time. McDowall raced up the left and cut inside Young before drilling a low shot on target. Gordon parried it at his right post but was helpless to prevent GRAHAM WILSON from ramming home the rebound to make the final score 2-1 to Talbot.
Another good away day for the Talbot who will be presented with the league flag before Wednesday evening’s match at home to Pollok.
Kirkintilloch Rob Roy – Gordon, McLean, Clark, Young, Forrester, Toughy, Gallacher, Ramage, Carroll, Hughes, Mackie
Subs – Sawyers, Slattery, Morris, Daly, Vezza
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Harvey, Stephen Wilson, White, McDowall, Samson, Shankland, Waite
Subs – Graham Wilson, Glasgow, Kemp, Armstrong
Talbot clinched the 2018/19 league title in style as they romped to a 5-0 away win at Troon as Hurlford fell to defeat at the hands of Rob Roy.
From the outset Talbot played at a high tempo and had the hosts on the back foot from the off. There were several near things before Talbot made the breakthrough in the 6th minute. Samson scampered clear on the right and pulled it back into the centre where DWAYNE HYSLOP stroked it past the keeper from 15 yards.
The early goal spurred Talbot on & they laid siege to the Troon defence. McCreadie did well to head Samson’s cross clear at his near post and shortly after Johnstone had to be at full stretch to take Graham Wilson’s cross from the left wing.
Troon hadn’t been at the races but did have an effort at goal with quarter of an hour gone. Pooler squared the ball inside to McCrea who tried his luck from 25 yards; drilling a powerful shot a few feet over the bar.
A minute later, and a needless penalty gave Talbot the opportunity to double their lead. McCreadie blatantly shoved Graham Wilson in the back as he shielded the ball going away from goal and the ref had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. GORDON POPE did the rest; sending Johnstone the wrong way to put Talbot 2-0 ahead.
It wasn’t McCreadie’s evening and he found himself in the ref’s notebook with 20 mins gone when he barged into Wilson. Pope took the free kick & sent it out wide to Graham Wilson whose cross was headed just over the bar by McCracken at the back post.
A minute later the woodwork prevented Talbot from adding to their lead. Hyslop played a ball in behind the defence for Samson to chase down. Johnstone raced out his area to clear but his attempted clearance came straight to Armstrong on the right wing. He lifted a cross into the area where Graham Wilson climbed to head it goal ward only to see it crash off the bar with the keeper stranded.
Talbot worked the keeper again in the 28th minute. Samson brushed Strachan off the ball inside the Troon area. The defender went over easily but the ref waved play on and Samson fired a shot from a tight angle that Johnstone blocked at his near post.
The home side now made a change with McCrea leaving the field to be replaced by Fulton.
The Troon goal had a close call in the 31st minute when Talbot won a free kick out on the right. Glasgow fizzed in a dangerous delivery that flicked off Hyslop’s head before cannoning off McCracken a few yards out and flying over the bar.
McCreadie had a lucky escape in the 40th minute when he sent Glasgow crashing as he broke forward. It looked worthy of a 2nd yellow but the ref contented himself with awarding Talbot the free kick 30 yards out. Graham Wilson took it and fired it up and over the wall but Johnstone was well positioned to pluck it out the air under his crossbar.
Talbot had one final chance to add to their lead before the interval. Glasgow played it into the feet of Samson who returned it back into the path of Glasgow but he couldn’t beat the keeper from 15 yards with Johnstone coming off his line block his shot.
Perhaps aware of the Hurlford score line Talbot took their foot off the gas at the start of the 2nd half and Troon enjoyed a good spell of pressure.
The home side nearly pulled one back in the 52nd minute. Morrison got free down the left and cut it back to Maley whose side-footed finish was brilliantly saved by Leishman at his right hand post.
Two minutes later Talbot were nearly caught on the counter-attack. Glasgow slung a free kick into the Troon box that was cleared out to the right touchline where McCracken lost out to Chatham. Troon then swiftly broke down the right with Maley playing it to Stevenson whose cross into the area was cleared by Lyle.
Talbot needed something to spark them back to life & it duly came in the 56th minute. Hyslop swivelled to leave his marker for dead & played it to Armstrong on the left of the area. He left a couple of defenders in his wake thanks to some nifty footwork; all that was missing was a goal to top off the move but Armstrong’s low drive was blocked by Paterson.
An hour in Talbot had the home defence stretched when Lyle’s pass sent Glasgow free on the right. He whipped a great low ball across the face that only needed a touch but unfortunately there were not takers.
Tucker made his first change in the 64th minute with McDowall coming on for Glasgow.
Talbot are always a threat at set pieces and nearly added to their goal haul in the 65th minute. Samson forced a corner down the right that he took himself. He delivered it into the 6-yard area where Hyslop headed it down into the turf but it skipped up off the hard surface and bounced over the bar.
Two minutes later Samson made a great burst down the left into the penalty box. He left McCreadie in his wake but the ball just wouldn’t sit right for him to get his strike away and Johnstone came off his line to do enough to put it behind for the corner. When the corner came in Troon could only clear it out as far as Pope who drilled a low shot on target that Strachan cleared off the line inside the left post.
Talbot were rewarded for their pressure in the 70th minute when they grabbed a 3rd goal to make certain of the victory. Samson kept the ball well under pressure just inside the Troon half before sliding a pass through to JACK MCDOWALL who raced clean through the centre, knocking it past the advancing keeper, before passing it into the empty net.
Talbot now made a double substitution with Samson and Graham Wilson making way for McIlroy and Shankland.
With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot made it 4-0. McIlroy won a corner on the right when McCreadie cut out his ball across the area and when the corner came in ROSS HARVEY met it unopposed to nod Talbot further ahead.
Troon now made a further change with Reid replacing Green.
McIlroy very nearly got on the score sheet in the 81st minute. A quickly taken corner saw Shankland whip a cross into the near post where McIlroy saw his header deflected off target off a defender.
With 8 minutes remaining Troon completed their changes when Martin came on for Pooler.
Johnstone denied McCracken a goal in the 84th minute. Shankland got away down the right and hung a cross into the goal mouth where McCracken met it to head on target but the keeper did well to save it on the line.
Chatham received a yellow card in the 86th minute for a professional foul on McCracken as he raced toward the box. Shankland took the free kick from 25 yards but suffice to say it wasn’t one of his better efforts as he got under it to balloon a shot well over.
A minute from time Talbot completed the scoring. GORDON POPE surged forward before passing it into the feet of McIlroy on the left of the area. He laid it back into his path and Pope drilled a low shot across Johnstone into the far corner to grab is 2nd and Talbot’s 5th of the evening.
A superb performance from Talbot who were crowned worthy league champions with 4 games to spare.
Troon Juniors – Johnstone, Paterson, Morrison, McCreadie, Strachan, Chatham, Green, McCrea, Stevenson, Maley, Pooler
Subs – Reid, Crawford, McClay, Fulton, Martin
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McPherson, McCracken, Hyslop, Armstrong, Graham Wilson, Samson, Glasgow
Subs – McIlroy, Shankland, McDowall, Waite, Stephen Wilson
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
A last minute winner gave Talbot all three points at Guy’s Meadow and ensured the Bot maintained their 100% record away from home; notching up their 13th win on the road.
Rob Roy made the more promising start, forcing a series of corners, without troubling Leishman in the Bot goal.
The Rabs won a free kick 40 yards out in the 6th minute which Ramage optimistically hit for goal; firing well over the bar.
At the other end Waite swept over a dangerous cross that Gordon punched clear as McDowall challenged him for the ball.
Twelve minutes in Pope sent a good ball down the left to find Samson who cut into the area on his right foot & steered a low shot on target that Gordon comfortably held.
McDowall had a good chance to put Talbot ahead in the 19th minute. He won a corner out on the left which Shankland played deep beyond the back post. Pope cushioned a header back across goal where McDowall ran onto it only to blaze over the bar from 6 yards.
The Bot’s next attack saw Shankland dink a ball between two defenders to free Waite down the right. He raced onto it before drilling a great low ball across the goal mouth that only needed a touch but there were no takers.
Talbot took the lead in the 23rd minute. A free kick out on the right was pinged to the opposite wing where it floated over the head of McLean. McDowall nipped in behind him, took a good first touch and drilled it low across goal where KEIR SAMSON stretched out a leg to turn it home.
The home side had an opportunity to draw level in the 26th minute. Carroll won a duel in the air just outside the area & reacted first to the loose ball; racing through on the left but he pulled his shot wide of the right post as Leishman advanced on him.
Shankland did well a few minutes later; robbing Forrester of the ball out on the right before hitting it low across the 6-yard area where Samson managed to get a flick on it but not enough to put it in.
Talbot were pushing hard for a 2nd goal and nearly achieved it in the 36th minute. Shankland headed on Samson’s long throw and it came to Stephen Wilson whose header looked destined for the back of the net til it was deflected just over off a defender.
For all that it was Talbot doing the pressing the Bot had Leishman to thank for maintaining their lead when he produced a top quality save in the 43rd minute; flying to his left to turn Mackie’s 20 yard effort round the post to ensure Talbot went in a goal in front at half-time.
It was the Bot who started the 2nd half quickest and Waite nearly doubled Talbot’s advantage in the 53rd minute. Shankland laid the ball off to Stephen Wilson & he slid it out right to find Waite who fired a shot back across goal & just past the right post with Gordon rooted to the spot.
Two minutes later McDowall met a cross from the right sending his header wide of the left post.
Stephen Wilson was next to have a go; gathering the ball in midfield he surged through the centre before firing a shot just over the bar from 25 yards.
The Rabs goal was leading a charmed life and Talbot came close again in the 57th minute. McDowall lifted a ball in from the left to find Shankland around the penalty spot & he volleyed it on the outside of his boot narrowly wide of Gordon’s right post.
With 62 minutes gone Rob Roy made a change with Slattery on for Toughy in the middle.
Gordon kept the Rabs in it with a superb save in the 67th minute. McDowall carried it forward before sliding a pass in toward Samson. The defence cut it out but the ball came straight back to McDowall who drilled it for the bottom corner only for Gordon to dive low to his left to turn it round the post.
Tucker made a double substitution after 72 mins with Glasgow & Graham Wilson coming on in place of Shankland & Samson.
Pope received a caution with quarter of an hour remaining when he caught Gallacher. Rob Roy now made their 2nd change with Daly on in place of Hughes.
Rob Roy passed up a good chance to equalise with 12 mins remaining. Gallacher got past Pope down the right & was brought down just wide of the penalty area by McPherson. Gallacher whipped the free kick over & Carroll met it only to send his free header well wide of the left post.
A minute later the Rabs threatened again. Daly latched onto a long diagonal ball on the left wing, cutting in on his right foot & firing a shot just over the bar.
Tucker now made his final change with Armstrong replacing Stephen Wilson.
In the 83rd min Rob Roy made their last change with Sawyers coming on for McLean.
With 5 minutes remaining Rob Roy made it 1-1. Daly gathered on the right and played a low ball back across beyond the far post where CARROLL rushed in to side-foot it home.
Within 2 minutes of falling behind Talbot had a golden chance to regain the lead. Waite raced free down the right & pulled a cross back straight onto the head of McDowall who headed it wide of the left post from 8 yards out.
In the final minute of regulation time Talbot won a free kick inside the Rabs half when Ramage clipped Pope’s heels as he raced forward; resulting in a booking for the Rabs midfielder. The free kick was lifted into the box where McDowall headed it on into the path of Graham Wilson whose shot was well saved by Gordon. The rebound came out to Glasgow who crashed it into the roof of the net but the linesman came to Rob Roy’s rescue; judging Wilson to have been offside when he shot.
Just when it looked like Talbot would have to content themselves with a share of the spoils the Bot produced a last gasp winner deep into injury time. McDowall raced up the left and cut inside Young before drilling a low shot on target. Gordon parried it at his right post but was helpless to prevent GRAHAM WILSON from ramming home the rebound to make the final score 2-1 to Talbot.
Another good away day for the Talbot who will be presented with the league flag before Wednesday evening’s match at home to Pollok.
Kirkintilloch Rob Roy – Gordon, McLean, Clark, Young, Forrester, Toughy, Gallacher, Ramage, Carroll, Hughes, Mackie
Subs – Sawyers, Slattery, Morris, Daly, Vezza
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Harvey, Stephen Wilson, White, McDowall, Samson, Shankland, Waite
Subs – Graham Wilson, Glasgow, Kemp, Armstrong
