Pollok’s hard-fought victory over Auchinleck Talbot will in all likelihood mean next to nothing in the destination of the Super Premier Division title honours.

But Lok fans can regard the 1-0 triumph as hard evidence of how the southsiders are close to turning themselves into credible ETHXenergy Scottish Junior Cup contenders.

Not because of Saturday’s narrow outcome in their favour, even if any team beating the unmistakeable kingpins of Junior football should take some comfort from their efforts, but because of how Tony McInally’s men went about achieving this long awaited league win against the Ayrshiremen.

The considerable watching contingent from Lok’s last-16 Junior Cup opponents Bonnyrigg Rose undoubtedly went away with food for thought and his side’s display had Macca in a happy place.

“It’s important that we have different ways of winning games and we certainly showed a different side to ourselves out there today.

“It was more of a a gritty backs-to-the-wall type performance, built on the back of the lift given by our early goal.

"However, we counter-attacked to great effect and probably should have score another goal in the second half.

“My players deserve great credit for beating the champions in the manner they did, but ultimately you only get the same three points as you do for beating any other team.

“Today was a top Junior Game between two teams going for it and I’m delighted for everyone connected with Pollok F.C.”

The Lok gaffer’s team selection sparked more than a few debates among the 685 fans.

He opted for four recognised strikers in Alan McKenzie, Carlo Monti and the Winters brothers, Robbie and David.

And Pollok’s attacking intentions were clear right from the first whistle as they pressed forward to give the Talbot rearguard some anxious moments.

An early scare from David Winters poking a shot against the upright was followed by Andy Leishman being called into action to save a Monti strike. but the goal was only delayed until the sixth minute.

Kieron McAleenan got clear on the left and cut the ball back for Monti to lash an unstoppable shot past the Talbot goalkeeper from close range.

Pollok continued to hold the upper hand, but the visitors gradually grew into the game and Graham Wilson glanced a header wide on top of Dwayne Hyslop blasting a six yard shot high over after the ball broke kindly for him following a scramble at a corner kick.

And an equaliser looked to have arrived in 40 minutes as Mark Shankland broke through on goal and fired a shot that deflected off Lok goalkeeper Jordan Longmuir.

It looked destined for the net until backtracking defender Tam Hanlon somehow scooped the ball off the line to the dismay of the Talbot fans.

Shankland again came close before half-time with a shot saved by Longmuir that ensued Pollok went in at the interval with their 1-0 lead.

Auchinleck were again on the front foot on the resumption and dominating territorially.

However, their best attacking ventures were making little headway against a resolute Lok backline superbly marshalled by Paul Gallagher.

Indeed, the best scoring opportunity of the half fell to Monti left with only Leishman to beat when cleverly picked out by McKenzie, but the advancing goalkeeper blocked his scoring attempt with his legs to avert the danger.

Auchinleck never let up in striving for a levelling score, but it says everything that the first time Longmuir was asked to take preventative measures was in smothering a tame 88th minute header from Talbot stopper Martin McGoldrick.

The final whistle brought Talbot boss Tommy Sloan to ruefully reflect: “Pollok started well while we didn’t and going ahead so early played into their hands.

“Nevertheless, I was not too despondent at half-time and felt we could get back into the game but we just didn’t do enough in the final third to merit an equaliser.

“We have one or two problems at the moment but we will work at ironing them out.”

Match-winning ace Monti emerged with a beaming smile to say: "I was due a goal and a win against Auchinleck after coming up short so many times previously but we had to work our socks off to see the game out.

“I was happy with my performance but feel there is better to come once I get on the same wavelength as some of the other guys.

“This is a very experienced and capable Pollok side compared to my previous times here and with a bit more belief, who knows what we can do?”

Newlandsfield was one of only six pitches throughout the West Region – four in the top flight - to beat the wintry elements .

Second-top Rob Roy needed a late Davie Barr score to salvage a share of the spoils away to a Beith side that had battled back from going down 1-0 to a Willie Sawyers goal to lead 2-1 through Andy Reid and ex-Rabs forward Thomas Collins scores.

And Troon took all three points at home to Hurlford United thanks to counters from Adam Forsyth and Dale Moore either side of a Ryan Borris equaliser for the Ford.

Meanwhile, Irvine Meadow suffered ETHXenergy Scottish Junior Cup fourth-round replay agony in going down 2-0 at home to Linlithgow Rose for whom Graham Weir and Tommy Coyne were on target.

Ayrshire District League frontrunners Irvine Vics extended their lead atop the pile to eight points after Calum Davidson and Ally McRoberts goals sealed a 2-1 success over Saltcoats Vics while St Anthony's remain firmly in the Central First Division relegation zone after only managing a 1-1 draw at home to bottom markers Dunipace through a last-gasp Willie Duncan goal.