POLLOK’S hopes of a dream start upon their return to the Super Premier Division top table suffered a massive blow on Saturday when they were taken apart by a young and vibrant Troon side.

Having to go with just 11 players and no substitutes able to take part in the proceedings proved to be too much of a handicap for Tony McInally’ s men.

However, that’s not to take away from a deserved 2-0 win for the Ayrshiremen because there could have been few complaints from home supporters if the winning margin had been doubled, such was Troon’s undoubted superiority on the day.

And visiting boss Gordon Burns and No 2 Neil Duffy’s aspirations for the season ahead could only have been boosted by the manner in which their players went about their business from start to finish.

Burns said: “Pre-season friendlies and our Ardagh Cup section games were used to experiment with different formations and line-ups so our performances have been indifferent to say the least.

“Neil and I had thought all along that last Wednesday’s last-eight Ardagh showdown with Glenafton followed by today’s visit to Pollok would be the real testing ground for our guys and to be fair they have come through it with flying colours.

“The better team won out on the pitch today and my only complaint is not scoring more goals, but I would say that as manager.”

Lok boss Macca had spent all week warning his players that their supremely confident opponents would come to Newlandsfield looking to pick up three points.

And it didn't take long for Dean Keenan & Co to hammer home that message as they raced into a 1-0 lead with just nine minutes on the clock.

Dale Moore had already given notice of his side’s attacking intentions with a close-range flick which came back off the upright.

Lok defender Gary Wild then lost sight of the ball, a lapse that allowed Troon striker Adam Forsyth to pick up possession and hammer an unstoppable 25-yard shot past home keeper Jordan Longmuir.

The belief gleaned from this breakthrough spurred Troon into attacking mode and the close control skills of outstanding teenagers Jordan Muir and Dale Shirkie - aided and abetted by Forsyth - continued to catch the eye as they poured forward, however no further goals were scored before half time .

And around the half-hour mark they might have paid a heavy price for their lack of a clinical edge when Lok striker Alan McKenzie cut inside from the left and went down under a Keenan challenge when looking set to have a pop at goal.

The large home support roared penalty, but their acclaim had no effect on whistler Ronnie Strain whose deeming McKenzie of simulation led to the game’s first yellow card and the man in the middle was similarly unmoved when the mobile McKenzie again went to ground on on the stroke of half time following a handling error by Troon keeper Ally Semple.

Lok boss Macca said: "The first tackle on Alan has felled him in the act of shooting for goal and has to be a clear penalty-kick decision, so you’ll need to ask the referee why he hasn’t given it.

“The reaction from our players was unanimous and our supporters were in no doubt, however the one man whose opinion really counted, thought otherwise.

“That decision was clearly a turning point, but overall I felt we were not at the races against a very slick and clever Troon team.”

It’s indicative of the middle-to-front pressure exerted by Troon that four home team players - Findlay Frye, Ross McCabe, Tam Hanlon and John Sweeney, ended up the recipients of yellow cards with the last named’s booking coming as a result of his dissent over the free kick award to Troon that led to their second score.

The ever-competitive Hanlon had felled Dale Moore some 19 yards out and up strode Keenan from his defensive beat to smash a powerful low drive into the far corner of the net past helpless goalkeeper Jordan Longmuir.

Troon went on to create further openings but without any end result and defensive stalwart Gavin Collins reflected afterwards.

“The Pollok boys are making a fuss over the penalty-kick claim but their player has gone to ground before Deano has made a tackle so it’s a clear dive in my book.

“And good on the referee for being strong enough to deny their claim with everyone and their granny saying otherwise.”

In the remaining top flight affairs, West Region champions Auchinleck Talbot triumphed 2-0 at home to Shettleston with goals from Gordon Pope (pen) and Robert Love while Ryan Haxton’s 96th-minute equaliser saw Kilbirnie Ladeside share the spoils with Hurlford United who had led through a Ross Robertson header

Rob Roy winger Chris Duff and Willie Sawyers were on the mark in a 2-0 defeat of Glenafton and midfielder Ryan McGregor netted the only goal of the game as Arthurlie overcame Irvine Meadow.

Mark Daly’s late goal salvaged a point for Petershill away to Beith who had recovered from a Keiran Daw opener for the Peasy to lead 2-1 through David McGowan and Josh McArthur scores.

Catching the eye at Super First Division level was Ardagh Glass Cup semi finalists Kilwinning Rangers taking a 5-1 beating away to Yoker for whom Gary Arbuckle, Davie Crerand, Mark Maxwell(2) and Michael Bailey were on target while Nikky Little helped himself to an opportunist brace of goals as Clydebank ran out 2-0 winners over Ardrossan Winton Rovers.

And arguably the biggest upset of the day came down at the Tail O’The Bank where Greenock emerged 4-o victors over Cumnock thanks to a Kenny Munro hat trick and Alan Docherty counter.