THE look of disgust on Tony McInally’s face as he walked off the pitch following Pollok’s 0-0 stalemate with Arthurlie told its own story.

And the demanding boss did not hold back when speaking of the disappointment felt over his side’s lacklustre showing in this Euroscot Eng League Cup opener.

“Poor, very poor if truth be told … and found seriously wanting in key areas of the pitch, which is simply not good enough for this club.” he slammed.

“We could have pinched a win at the end when David Winters has untypically missed a gilt-edged scoring opportunity, but I would still be unhappy with what we served up over the course of the 90 minutes.

“We never looked like losing as our goalkeeper Jordan Longmuir was not called upon to make a single save of note, however the manner in which Arthurlie dominated territorially is a concern that we must address as a group. Their players looked more up for the game than ours and that’s just not acceptable in derby matches.”

Macca’s gripes were understandable because, right from the first whistle, Arthurlie had caught the eye – and not just because of their pink jerseys – in showing a greater spring in their step and even an injury blow leading to striker Gary Carroll limping off midway through the first half failed to stem their early momentum which was almost rewarded when a Connor McGlinchey dipping drive just cleared the crossbar.

And they were almost made to pay the ultimate price for failing to cash in on their outfield superiority when Winters firstly blazed high over from six yards out from a Paul Gallagher knockdown and the hitman then flashed a header against the upright on the stroke of half-time.

A 900-strong crowd had six yellow cards to stir their blood in the second period, but precious little in the way of goal action, albeit visiting skipper Ryan McGregor was foiled by Longmuir diving to save at his feet when the goalscoring midfielder stumbled his way through on goal.

And, at the other end, Pollok’s introduction of substitute Alan McKenzie sparked several openings with the free-running frontman coming close to a goal himself before laying the ball on a plate for Winters, who got his feet in a fankle and somehow contrived to miss an open goal from no more than a yard out.

One of Pollok’s players to get pass marks – full-back Mark Sideserf – insisted: “We need to have a bit more fire in our bellies for taking on Super Premier Division sides because Arthurlie are not the most aggressive team by any means.”

Honours being even resulted in the inaugural Joseph S Marshall Trophy being shared by both teams, and the sight of mother-in-law Sally presenting the gleaming silverware for skippers Gallagher and McGregor to jointly hold aloft brought a contented smile to the face of Barrhead No.2 Stevie Aitchison.

He said: “A draw was the only result likely to satisfy all of Joe’s extended family and I think, over the piece, that it was probably the right scoreline.

“We had a lot of the ball but failed to penetrate in the final third, whereas Pollok with a lot less thrust in the forward areas probably had the clearest chances. Taking a point here means there is everything to play for in our remaining Section games.”

The other Section Six contest between Neilston and St Anthony's also ended even after a 1-1 Brig O’Lea draw where Robbie Cameron netted from the penalty spot for the home side with Gareth Timoney bagging the Ants equaliser.

Holders Cumbernauld had Stephen McDonald and Ryan Sullivan (2) on the mark in a 3-1 victory over Dunipace, while last season’s beaten finalists, Blantyre Vics, thrashed Cambuslang 8-1.

Daryl Meikle netted the only goal to help Lesmahagow beat Lanark for the second time in four days and Junior new boys Gartcairn were left to celebrate a debut triumph after Barry Foy and Chris Dolan (pen) goals secured a 2-1 win against Carluke, whose consolation score came from Ian Watt.

Shettleston striker Scott Anson helped himself to a hat-trick in a 4-1 defeat of Thorniewood, while Robert McGuire (pen) and Daryl Naismith were on target to help St Roch's to a 2-1 success at home to Bellshill.

In the Ardagh Glass Cup, holders Glenafton routed Muirkirk 6-0 with goals from Darren McGill, Mick McCann (2), Chris Malone, Craig McGuffie and JP Boyle.

Auchinleck Talbot beat arch-rivals Cumnock 3-1. Gordon Pope converted a penalty just three minutes in and Bryan Young headed home in 15 minutes to double the Bot’s advantage.

Mark Shankland then missed from the spot, however Young made the scoreline 3-0 in the second half before Cumnock put a better complexion on matters with a late Ross McNeil counter.

Hurlford thrashed nine-man Darvel 9-0 and Kilwinning won 3-0 against Dalry through scores by Ben Lewis, Tommy Maitland and Ian Cashmore.

Sean McKenna grabbed the glory in Troon's 1-0 triumph over Girvan, but the day’s big upset was Winton Rovers winning 2-0 at home to Beith thanks to Connor Browning and Jonathan Cook goals.

WEEKEND RESULTS

Ardagh Glass Sectional League Cup. Section One: Kilwinning Rangers 3 Dalry Thistle 0, Largs Thistle 1 Kilbirnie Ladeside 2, Winton Rovers 2 Beith 0.

Section Two: Irvine Vics 5 Saltcoats Vics 2, Hurlford Utd 9 Darvel 0, Ardeer Thistle 1 Irvine Meadow 3.

Section Three: Troon 1 Girvan 0, Annbank Utd 1 Whitletts Vics 0, Craigmark 1 Maybole 2.

Section Four: Kello Rovers 1 Lugar Boswell 2, Muirkirk 0 Glenafton 6, Cumnock 1 Auchinleck Talbot 3.

Euroscot Sectional League Cup. Section One: Larkhall Thistle 3 Royal Albert 0, Lesmahagow 1 Lanark Utd 0.

Section Two: Wishaw 1 Shotts Bon Accord 1, Gartcairn 2 Carluke Rovers 1.

Section Three: Shettleston 4 Thorniewood Utd 1, St Roch's 2 Bellshill Athletic 1.

Section Four: Blantyre Vics 8 Cambuslang Rangers 1.

Section Five: Pollok 0 Arthurlie 0, Neilston 1 St Anthony's 1.

Section Six: Clydebank 3 Ashfield 0.

Section Seven: Renfrew 2 Johnstone Burgh 0, Port Glasgow 3 Vale of Leven 4.

Section Eight: Rossvale 0 Rob Roy 5, Cumbernauld Utd 3 Dunipace 1.

TONIGHT:

Euroscot Sectional League Cup. Section Six: Maryhill v Yoker.