Venue: Beechwood Park

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Talbot climbed to the top of the table after defeating Bonnyton Thistle at a sunny Beechwood with results elsewhere going Talbot’s way.

The Bot nearly got off to a flying start when Graham Wilson’s shot just cleared the crossbar in the 2^nd minute.

Down the other end Gilroy had a half chance for the visitors when he got in behind the defence but took a heavy 1^st touch and could only fire well wide of goal.

Four minutes in and Talbot came close again. Samson hit the bye line on the right of the area before pulling it back for Wardrope whose shot slid just wide of the right post.

The visitors had to make an early change in the 7^th minute when Gilroy limped off to be replaced by Abhorh.

Talbot’s next effort came in the 10^th minute. A loose clearance cannoned off Glasgow who burst through the defence but stabbed his shot past the left post.

Bonnyton put together a nice move in the 21^st minute as they worked it right to left to find Gardiner haring down the left of the penalty area. He tried to square it across goal but it was blocked behind for the corner.

Three minutes later the visitors had a half chance when Leitch’s long ball was headed on into the path of McColm and he hit it first time into the side-netting.

Bonnyton were having a good spell and had a chance to test Leishman in the 26^th minute when Davidson was fouled just outside the area. Davidson took the free kick himself but lifted it way over the bar.

Bonnyton were now forced into a 2^nd injury related substitution with Wilson coming on for Smith.

Talbot did have the ball in the net on the 29^th minute but the goal didn’t stand. Glasgow cut in off the left and his curling shot was parried by the keeper. The rebound came to Wardrope who rifled a shot off the right hand post and when it came back out Graham Wilson turned it home but the assistant ref had his flag raised.

Leishman didn’t have the busiest of afternoons but was called upon in the 31^st minute when Davidson found the target from 25 yards forcing Andy to dive to his right to smother it.

In the 39^th minute Talbot won a free kick in a dangerous area after Samson had his heels clipped outside the box. Wardrope’s low drive was parried away at his right post by Leitch and the ball came out to Aiden Wilson whose ball back across the face was turned behind for a corner.

Talbot ended the half on the front foot. As it moved into added time Samson gathered on the left of the area and tested the keeper with a shot from a tight angle that Leitch saved with his outstretched leg. It came out to Graham Wilson who hooked a good shot on target that Leitch turned past his right post. Talbot forced a flurry of consecutive corners but couldn’t make them count and the sides went in goal less at the interval.

From the outset Talbot looked to have stepped it up a gear for the 2^nd half. Within a minute Wardrope dummied Armstrong’s through ball to create space for Stafford on the overlap and his low ball in was held by Leitch at his near post.

In the 50^th minute a ball down the right found Graham Wilson and he crossed it early into the centre where Samson just failed to connect with an attempted scissors kick.

A minute later Glasgow burst forward before releasing it wide to find Healy who lifted a good cross into the centre that Walsh managed to head to safety.

It was all Talbot and the next chance came in the 55^th minute when Glasgow sent Aiden Wilson free on the overlap and his cross was met by Samson who saw his header tipped over the bar.

From the resultant corner Graham Wilson’s head flick was cleared off the line by Kelly.

Talbot looked to be denied a stonewall penalty in the 59^th minute. Armstrong headed the ball on down the right to find Glasgow inside the penalty area. He was taken out by a clumsy challenge but the referee waved away Talbot’s appeals and McCracken ended up in the book for dissent.

In the 62^nd minute Talbot’s pressure paid off though the opener had a slice of fortune about it. Leishman sent the ball out to Aiden Wilson who pinged it down the line to find JAMIE GLASGOW who cut back onto his right foot and curled over a cross from the left touchline that deceived Leitch and curled into the far corner of the net.

Four minutes later Talbot came close again with an action replay of the 1^st goal. This time the Bot were awarded a free kick out wide on the left which Wardrope bent just wide of the far post.

Talbot now made their 1^st change with Boylan on in place of Glasgow.

In the 70^th minute Talbot won a free kick just outside the penalty area when Walsh upended Samson for which he received a caution. Wardrope lifted it beyond the far post where McCracken headed it back across goal and Graham Wilson fired a shot off the bar but the linesman’s flag was raised for offside.

The visitors now made their final change with Allan on for Jenkins.

The game was over as a contest in the 74^th minute when Talbot doubled their lead. Wardrope fired on target from 20 yards, Leitch failed to hold it and GRAHAM WILSON pounced to turn the rebound home.

Tucker now immediately made a double switch with Samson and Graham Wilson making way for Shankland and Mason.

The two subs were involved in Talbot’s 3^rd goal in the 79^th minute. Mason did well to close down Wallace inside his own area and block his clearance. It spun up high in the air and when it dropped down Mason cut it back into the path of MARK SHANKLAND who buried it low inside the right hand post.

In the 82^nd minute Talbot won a free kick at the left edge of the penalty area following a foul on Boylan. Shankland curled it over the wall but it flew just wide of the right post into the side-netting.

With 4 minutes remaining Armstrong found Boylan breaking down the right. He lifted it over Gardiner and ran round him before firing it just over the bar on the half volley.

In the final minute of regulation time Robertson almost nabbed a consolation effort when he gathered on the left of the area and tried to curl it inside the far post but his effort went just wide.

Just as they had in the 1^st half Talbot ended strongly and nearly added a fourth when Wardrope’s deep cross from the left looked to be heading in but Leitch just managed to tip it over and despite piling on late pressure Talbot couldn’t add to their tally.

A strong 2^nd half performance from Talbot who now have a week off from league duties as next Saturday they host Pollok in the South Challenge cup.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Craig McCracken, Armstrong, Healy, Wardrope, Graham Wilson, Samson, Glasgow

Subs – Boylan, Mason, Hyslop, Shankland, Robbie McCracken, Crawford

Bonnyton Thistle – Leitch, Wallace, Gardiner, Robertson, Walsh, Smith, Jenkins, Kelly, Gilroy, Davidson, McColm

Subs – Allan, Abhorh, Walker, Hannah, Wilson

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Talbot slumped to their 1^st league defeat of 2022 in an error strewn afternoon against rivals Cumnock.

In the 4^th minute the referee booked both Carnwath and Graham Wilson. The Nock player appeared to be booked for diving and it wasn’t really clear why Graham Wilson joined him in the book.

There was no real pattern about the game with play stopping frequently for free kicks with the ref being very fussy.

The opening goal came in the 11^th minute and went the way of Cumnock. Ross whipped over a good cross from the right that found McLaughlin in space beyond the far post. He pulled his shot across goal but it ended up a good pass as MOORE stuck out a leg to steer it home from 6 yards.

It proved to be a short-lived lead as Talbot drew level two minute later. Graham Wilson found Aiden Wilson on the overlap and his cross was blocked behind for the corner. When Glasgow’s delivery came in from the left KIER SAMSON met it inside the 6-yard box to make it 1-1.

Cumnock won a free kick in a dangerous area in the 19^th minute but Monti’s effort went straight into the wall.

Two minutes later Moore received a yellow card for grabbing McCracken around the neck.

The Bot had a chance in the 28^th minute when Boylan let fly from 20 yards out forcing Hughes to turn it round his right hand post. The first corner in was put out for another corner and when this one came over Boylan won a flick on into the goal mouth but the defence were able to scramble it clear.

Chances were few & far between though Talbot had a half chance in the 35^th minute. Samson won the ball in the air and flicked it onto Boylan on the left of the area but he scuffed his shot and Hughes was able to smother it.

Talbot’s next attack saw the win a free kick out on the left touchline for a foul on Samson. Glasgow swung it into the area where it was cleared but only as far as Aiden Wilson who met it 15 yards out but on his weaker foot he trundled a shot wide of target.

Two minutes before the interval Talbot had a close call. One moment Talbot were on the attack through Stafford as he surged up the right and swung a cross into the area where Healy’s diving header was blocked. Cumnock then swiftly broke on the counter and when Armstrong missed a tackle on halfway Monti was able to race down the left and cut into the penalty area where he curled a shot past Leishman only for Aiden Wilson to head it off the line and so the sides headed in level at the break.

Cumnock made a change at the start of the 2^nd period with Miller on in place of Carnwath.

The 2^nd half started as it continued, with both sides struggling with the wind, and scrapping for 2^nd balls.

In the 54^th minute Frye had his name taken when he hauled down Glasgow as he broke up the right wing.

Talbot had a half chance in the 56^th minute when Graham Wilson laid the ball into the path of Glasgow on the right of the area; however his 1^st touch took him a bit too wide to hit it and his cross swept across the face of goal and beyond the far post.

The next effort at goal came from Cumnock on the hour mark. Monti flighted a free kick into the area which the defence cleared but only as far as McLaughlin who met it 22 yards out but never really set himself & fired his shot well over.

Neither keeper was over busy with no clear cut chances being made by either side.

In the 68^th minute Stafford released Glasgow down the wing & he whipped a good ball across the face of goal but there were no takers & it ran out for the goal kick.

70 mins in Talbot made their 1^st change with Mason on for Graham Wilson and soon after coming on Mason was involved as he raced clear on the right and drilled a low ball across the 6-yard area that Ross turned wide of the far post.

The game was growing increasingly scrappy and looked to be meandering to a draw but in the 77^th minute Cumnock grabbed the winner.  A long punt out of defence saw MOORE out muscle McPherson on the right of the penalty box and then prod a low shot past Leishman at his left post to put Cumnock 2-1 ahead.

With 7 minutes remaining Talbot made a further change with Hyslop on for Healy. The referee booked Monti in the 85^th minute for persistent fouling and then produced a yellow card for Mason though it wasn’t clear what for.

In the 86^th minute Talbot had a half chance when McCracken played it into the feet of Mason inside the area and he teed it back toward Glasgow but he fired over the bar from 19 yards.

Talbot had one final chance to snatch a draw in the final minute of regulation time. McCracken met Samson’s shy from the right and head flicked it on inside the area. It broke off a defender back to Mason at the edge of the area but he fired over the bar on the half-volley and Cumnock saw out time to claim the win.

A bad day at the office for Talbot. Next up for the Bot is the visit of Bonnyton Thistle next Saturday.

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

Subs – Mason, Robbie McCracken, Hyslop, White, Hewitt

Cumnock – Hughes, Ross, Ferry, McIntyre, Murdoch, Wilson, Frye, Carnwath, Moore, Monti, McLaughlin

Subs – Tart, McGill, Miller, Osadolor, Baird, Strain

MURRAYS REPORT

Talbot kept the pressure on Pollok as they beat Kilwinning Rangers to narrow the gap at the top to a point with the Bot having 3 games in hand over the league leaders.

Both sides made a slow start and it wasn’t until the 9^th minute that the first effort at goal came. Glasgow fed the ball up the left to Aiden Wilson and his low cross into the centre caused the defence problems. The ball broke to Hyslop who hooked the ball on target forcing a good stop from Barclay.

Kilwinning won a free kick wthin shooting distance in the 12^th minute but Stewart directed it straight into the wall.

Talbot came close to the opener in the 15^th minute. A free kick was taken short to Armstrong and he slid the ball through to Boyd on the right. He teed it back toward Stafford and his swerving cross deceived Barclay but came back off the right hand post.

The Buffs keeper did better 5 minutes later when he came off his line to beat Hyslop to Glasgow’s free kick from the left wing – managing to punch it clear under pressure.

The referee, who was in a lenient mood, ought to have booked Hanvey for a late challenge on Hyslop but opted to let it go.

Talbot had a decent chance in the 26^th minute when Glasgow’s header found Samson running in behind the defence. His first effort was blocked by Barclay and when the rebound came back to him his follow-up effort was deflected behind for a corner kick.

The Bot did have the ball in the net in the 35^th minute but the goal didn’t stand. Boyd lifted a good cross beyond the far post where Glasgow steered a header back across goal. It looked to heading inside the left post but Boyd prodded it over the line from close range and the linesman flagged him for offside.

In the 41^st minute Talbot were inches away from taking the lead. A ball up the centre was hooked across the box by Graham Wilson and the defence could only clear it out to Glasgow whose rasping effort flew just wide of the left post from 18 yards.

Just when it looked as though the half would end goal less Talbot grabbed the opener on the stroke of half-time. The Bot won a corner on the left & when Glasgow delivered it into the near post area CRAIG MCCRACKEN ghosted onto the end of it to power a header home and send Talbot in 1-0 ahead.

The ref had kept his cards in his pocket for the 1^st half but he did caution Stewart in the 50^th minute for a late challenge on Hyslop.

Kilwinning’s main threat was coming down their left and Armstrong had to concede a corner in the 52^nd minute when he blocked Lewis’s cross into the area. When the corner came in Leishman came for it but missed it but fortunately he quickly recovered and gathered at the 2^nd time of asking.

The next goal was going to be pivotal and it came Talbot’s way in the 53^rd minute. Leishman launched a kick down the right that cleared the defence and found KIER SAMSON racing in behind. He still had plenty of work to do but with Barclay stranded in front of his near post he flighted it beyond him into the opposite top corner with a sublime finish to put Talbot 2-0 ahead.

This sparked a double substitution from the visitors who took off Hanvey and Gardiner and brought on Lockwood and McArthur.

In the 59^th minute Lewis went on a mazy run down the left hitting the bye line before cutting it back across the area. The ball came out to Boyd whose loose pass landed at the feet of McArthur 10 yards out. He was falling back as he hit it and Leishman was able to tip it over the bar.

On the hour mark Talbot made a double switch with Mason on for Graham Wilson and Healy replacing Boyd.

Further changes followed with the visitors bringing Ramsay on for Collins in the 69^th minute and Talbot completing the changes shortly after when Robbie McCracken replaced Glasgow.

The Bot threatened to extend their lead in the 73^rd minute. Craig McCracken played it into Mason who flicked it wide left where Craig had continued his run. He raced into the area past Caldwell and sent it across the face of goal but it went just behind Samson.

It was over as a contest in the 77^th minute when Talbot grabbed their third. Leishman’s kick was headed on by Hyslop to find KIER SAMSON racing into the left of the area & he hit it early on the half volley to send a shot sailing over Barclay to make it 3-0.

Kilwinning kept plugging away and were rewarded with a consolation effort 4 minutes from time.  Stewart’s cross from the right was met by MILLAR at the back post and he steered a header back across goal and beyond Leishman.

El Zabaidi had his name taken late on for a reckless challenge on Samson and in the closing exchanges Talbot had a good chance to add a 4^th when Mason was released in behind the defence but he tried to round the keeper and Barclay was able to gather and the game finished 3-1.

A good win for Talbot who now move onto Saturday’s derby at Beechwood against a rejuvenated Cumnock.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Craig McCracken, Boyd, Hyslop, Graham Wilson, Samson, Armstrong, Glasgow

Subs – Mason, Boylan, Robbie McCracken, Healy, White, Hewitt (gk)

Kilwinning Rangers – Barclay, Wood, McGowan, Caldwell, El Zabaidi, Hanvey, Stewart, Gardiner, Collins, Lewis, Millar

Subs – Lockwood, Anderson, McArthur, Ramsay, Kirkpartrick, Brown

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MURRAY’S REPORT:

Talbot got back to winning ways with a hard fought win over Meadow to close the gap on league leaders Pollok.

So far this season Talbot have been slow starters against Meadow but that wasn’t the case this time round and Talbot signalled their intent when they won a free kick out wide of the area in the 2^nd minute. Healy swept over a tremendous ball to the back post which only required a touch but no one had gambled & it sped behind for the goal kick.

The opening goal came in the 9^th minute when Talbot swiftly turned defence into attack. Boyd played the ball out from the back to find Graham Wilson in the centre & he quickly switched it to the left to find BRYAN BOYLAN racing in on goal & he drilled a left foot shot past Waters to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.

The Bot threatened again in the 14^th minute when McCracken’s diagonal pas found Boylan on the wing. He cut inside & whipped over a cross that Samson just failed to connect with. The ball ran on through and Graham Wilson was in space at the back post but the Meadow defence just managed to cut it out.

With quarter of an hour gone Samson tried his luck but from a tight angle he arrowed his shot over the bar.

Talbot’s pressure paid off in the 18^th minute when they doubled their advantage. Whyte conceded a cheap corner down the right and when Healy’s corner came over Waters came for it but didn’t claim it. The ball was headed goal wards and looked to have crossed the line before being hooked clear. Talbot appealed for the goal but it wasn’t given. The Bot kept the pressure on though and when the ball was crossed in from the right Hyslop flicked it into the path of GRAHAM WILSON who steered a shot past Winters and inside his right hand post.

Meadow now pushed forward looking for a way back into the match and Willett gave the Bot defence a nervous moment when he angled a dangerous ball over from the left but no one anticipated it & the ball sped across the 6-yard box and behind for the goal kick.

In the 28^th minute Meadow won a corner down the left which Wardrope swung into the back post where McPherson rose to head it to safety.

The game was swinging from end to end but without any end product in the final third. Talbot did stretch the Meadow defence in the 38^th minute when Stafford swung over a good cross from the right. The defence headed clear but only as far as Graham Wilson who slipped it left to Boylan but his shot was blocked by a defender.

Talbot ended the half strongly and had a promising break in the 43^rd minute when Samson won the ball midway inside the Meadow half. He released it to Graham Wilson who burst into the penalty area but couldn’t get his shot away & when he tried to square it inside to Boylan the defence intercepted.

In the closing seconds of the half Talbot won a free kick in a good area when Graham Wilson had his heels clipped just wide of the penalty area but Healy’s delivery hit the wall and the ref blew for half-time.

Meadow made a change at the start of the 2^nd half with Martin coming on in place of McKie and the visitors started the 2^nd half brightly carving out a half chance in the opening minute. A ball from the left flew across the area where C Boyd met it but he was at full stretch and could only send it well wide of Leishman’s left post.

In the 49^th minute G Boyd was cautioned for dissent after Meadow were penalised for an aerial challenge on Samson and he was joined in the ref’s book 3 minutes later by Craig McCracken when he conceded a free kick 30 yards out. Meadow swept the ball over but it was far too near Leishman who gathered easily.

Wardrope then had an effort from distance but he scooped his shot well over the crossbar.

In the 62^nd minute Talbot looked to break through Boylan who looked to be impeded. The ref didn’t give it though and Boylan ended up in the ref’s notebook for his complaints over the decision.

The visitors now made a double switch with 2 ex Bot players coming on – Lyle replacing Faulds & Milliken on for G Boyd.

In the 64^th min a quickly taken shy found Boylan in space on the left & he lobbed a cross over to the back post which McLennan had to head over his own bar.

Talbot made their 1^st change in the 67^th minute with Glasgow coming on for Boylan.

It was game on again in the 70^th minute when Meadow scored a quality goal to reduce the deficit. McLennan squared the ball to WARDROPE on the left of the penalty area and he gave Leishman no chance as he bent a shot inside the left hand post from 16 yards to make it 2-1.

Lyle now had his name taken for dissent.

Meadow won a free kick within striking distance in the 73^rd minute when Talbot were penalised for handball. McLennan took it and got it up and over the wall but it went straight at Leishman.

At the other end Talbot had a chance when Glasgow raced forward and ran for the box. He was challenged but the ball broke loose to Graham Wilson who sliced a shot well wide from the edge of the area.

Talbot now made a further change with Robbie McCracken coming on for Boyd.

Nerves were showing and Talbot conceded a needless shy in the 78^th minute when Stafford sliced a clearance out with Leishman waiting to claim it. The shy was taken short and when the cross came over from the right Milliken had a chance to level. He took it on his chest but McPherson got across quickly to make the tackle and put it behind for the corner.

From the resultant corner Talbot raced onto the counter through Graham Wilson who sped up field before releasing it to his right to find Glasgow but his shot was deflected wide..

With 10 minutes remaining Talbot forced a couple of corners in quick succession from the 2^nd of which Craig McCracken headed over the bar.

In the 83^rd minute Talbot won a free kick 22 yards out when Slooves bundled Hyslop over in a clumsy aerial challenge. Graham Wilson took it and his shot clipped the wall & sped behind for the corner. Glasgow’s corner caused the defence problems, coming off a Meadow head at the near post and angling across the face of goal and beyond the back post for another corner.

Five minutes from time Talbot fans had a scare when Healy hit a poor pass out of defence which was easily intercepted. It was clipped over the defence to find Martin on the right edge of the penalty area but nothing came of it.

Two minutes from time Talbot nearly grabbed a 3^rd that would have put the game beyond doubt. Aiden Wilson’s cross from the left was deflected high into the air off Lyle. It came to a Meadow defender who passed the ball straight to Graham Wilson and his fierce drive from 16 yards was tipped over the bar by the keeper.

Talbot saw out the remainder of the match with no alarms to secure the win and a vital 3 points.

A good win for Talbot who wobbled briefly when Meadow pulled on back but rallied to finish strongly. Next up for Talbot it’s a groundhog day fixture as they travel through to Irvine to face Meadow for the 5^th time this season – this time in the South Challenge cup.

MURRAYS REPORT

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MURRAY’S REPORT

Talbot produced a big performance when needed to eke out a hard fought but well deserved win over Pollok to narrow the gap at the top of the table.

The game had a cagey opening and the first half chance went the way of the visitors in the 7^th minute when Horne tried his luck from 25 yards; sending a right foot shot flying over the bar.

A minute later, Talbot took the lead. Boylan did well down the left & fired a dangerous ball across goal that Sideserf turned behind for the corner. Glasgow whipped the corner over to the far post where CRAIG MCCRACKEN rose to crash a header home via the underside of the bar to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.

In the 10^th minute Pollok had a chance to put the ball into the Talbot box when they were awarded a free kick out wide on the right. Horne lifted it into the area where it was cleared but only as far as McCann whose attempted scissor kick sliced well wide of target.

The referee got his cards out for the 1^st time in the 13^th minute. Wharton lost control of the ball and lunged into the tackle resulting in a booking for the Lok player.

He was joined in the ref’s notepad in the 23^rd minute when Stafford was booked for a challenge on Fraser.

Talbot then caught the Lok out with a swift counter – Armstrong playing it from deep in his own half to find Mason breaking free & he raced forward before firing a shot on target that was held by Longmuir.

The Bot’s next attack saw Boylan’s shot deflected behind for a corner. This time Glasgow took it short to Mason & he bent a cross toward the far post looking for McCracken but it sailed over his head & behind for the goal kick.

On the half hour mark Talbot won a free kick down the right when Boylan was caught by Fraser. Glasgow opted to shove it down the line for Stafford and his ball across was cut out for a corner. Glasgow swung it across goal where Stafford met it but he glanced his header well wide of the right post.

Longmuir then came to his defence’s rescue when he raced outside his area to narrowly beat Mason to a ball up the right. His clearance cannoned off Mason but it didn’t break for Talbot and the defence were able to clear.

The Bot had a chance to double their lead in the 34^th minute. Aiden Wilson swept over a pinpoint cross to the far post to find Boylan but his header flashed wide of target.

The pressure was telling on Pollok and McGregor picked up a yellow card when he took Mason out off the ball.

Talbot thought they’d won a penalty in the 37^th minute when Boylan was caught on the right edge of the penalty area but the referee awarded a free kick inches outside the area. Glasgow delivered it to the far post where Graham Wilson met it unchallenged and directed a powerful header back across goal that Longmuir turned past his right post.

The Bot were looking comfortable in their lead but a momentary lapse almost saw Lok draw level a minute before the interval. McCracken took a touch too many & was robbed of the ball allowing Pollok the chance to break. Grant got free down the right and when he slid it across the area it came to Fraser in acres of space in front of goal but fortunately for Talbot he pulled his shot well wide and Talbot went in ahead at the break.

Talbot started the 2^nd half positively and had an effort on target within a minute of the re-start. Mason sent it out right to Glasgow and when his cross came over Boylan met it but his header went straight at Longmuir.

In the 50^th minute the Bot turned defence into attack with a swift counter. McGregor hurled a long throw into the centre that Leishman gathered & he then sent it out to Glasgow who released Boylan down the right. He squared the ball across to the in rushing Graham Wilson but the ball got caught between his feet and the chance was lost.

Moments later Talbot had another chance when a ball up the left found Mason running up the wing & he cut inside McGregor before lashing a shot over the bar.

Grant became the 3^rd Lok player booked when he petulantly threw the ball away when a decision went against him.

In the 53^rd minute Mason found himself in a bit of space and surged forward before firing a left foot effort well over the bar from 25 yards.

Esplin joined the Pollok crime count in the 55^th minute when he was cautioned for barging Healy over with a clumsy aerial challenge resulting in a Bot free kick 30 yards out. Glasgow shaped as though to hit it but instead threaded it out left to find Aiden Wilson whose cross to the back post was headed clear. It came out to Glasgow at the edge of the area but his shot at goal was blocked.

The visitors had a half chance in the 57^th minute when Grant’s cross sped across the area and was gathered by Fraser on the left. He beat Glasgow and cut into the area but tried a curler from a tight angle that flew well over.

Talbot tested the visiting keeper on the hour mark. The Bot were awarded a free kick in their own half that McPherson floated up field. Graham Wilson won the header on and it came to Mason inside the box who rolled it back to Glasgow and his powerful strike was parried away by Longmuir.

The Bot’s next attack saw a lovely bit of skill from Glasgow that was worth the admission alone. He gathered the ball out on the left & through quick feet & close control managed to jink his past 3 Lok defenders before releasing the ball to Mason inside the area whose low drive was saved by the feet of Longmuir.

Pollok were feeding off scraps but had a half chance in the 65^th minute. A long ball down the centre saw McCracken hesitate for a second & the ball broke to Forde 20 yards out and he fired a shot over the bar.

A minute later Pollok won a free kick out wide on the left that saw Glasgow booked for a professional foul. Fraser whipped in a dangerous delivery that just cleared the head of Sideserf before hitting off McPherson. Talbot scrambled it out the box but conceded another free kick by the right corner flag for Graham Wilson’s challenge. The free kick was whipped into the centre where Leishman punched it clear under pressure. The ball came out to Horne 20 yards out but he couldn’t keep his shot down.

Both sides made a change in the 69^th minute – Talbot bringing on Samson for Mason and Pollok replacing Horne with Weir. The Lok sub was involved immediately after coming on when McGregor’s long shy from the right glanced off a head and came to him 6 yards out but his header lobbed well over the bar.

Down the other end Talbot had another effort on target when Healy gathered it 25 yards out and spread the ball out right to find Glasgow who tried to place it beyond Longmuir but the keeper did well.

Lok now made a 2^nd change with Evans coming on for Grant.

With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot put together a good move down the right that ended with Glasgow making it to the bye line & firing a great ball across the face of goal that only needed a touch but there were no takers in the centre.

Pollok had a half chance in the 77^th minute. They won a corner down the left which was played into the space in front of the near post where Lyon attempted to flick it home but his shot cleared the bar.

Action then switched to the other end where Graham Wilson won a corner down the left. Glasgow’s in swinger caused Longmuir problems but he managed to flap it away. The ball came out to Stafford but he took a heavy touch and Pollok were away on the counter down the left. Talbot’s defence recovered but then gifted the ball back to Pollok via a poor attempt at a pass back to Leishman. Forde read it and gathered wide on the left but could only force a corner that Talbot defended well.

Tucker now made a further change with Hyslop coming on for Glasgow.

With 5 minutes remaining Talbot had a scare when McPherson & Aiden Wilson left the ball to one another. The Lok player looked set to burst through on goal but Wilson made a fantastic recovery tackle to clear the danger.

Lyon then became the latest Lok player booked when he was cautioned for dissent.

Both sides completed their changes late on with Pollok bringing on G McCann for Forde and Talbot replacing Healy with Boyd.

As the game moved into injury time Talbot had a chance to seal it. Boylan gathered on the right and knocked a good ball inside for Samson to chase but he was just beaten to outside the area by Longmuir.

Deep into added time Pollok were reduced to 10 men when Evans cleaned out Boylan with a terrible tackle. The Bot saw the clock down and claimed all 3 points to narrow the gap at the top to 8 points with 5 games in hand.

A good win in front of an impressive crowd. Next up for Talbot it’s back to Beechwood for a midweek fixture against Kilbirnie.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Craig McCracken, Armstrong, Healy, Mason, G Wilson, Boylan, Glasgow

Subs – Hyslop, Samson, Boyd, Robbie McCracken, Shankland, McDowall, Hewitt (gk)

Pollok – Longmuir, Grant, Wharton, McGregor, Sideserf, Horne, Fraser, Esplin, S McCann, Forde, Lyon

Subs  – Weir, Graham, G McCann, Bradley, Duff, Evans, Lumsden (gk)