The race to claim bragging rights as this season’s Super Premier Division champions is set to hot up even further tomorrow as several crucial contests could decided the title destination.

Troon supporters will be hoping to regain pole position with a win on the road at Petershill.

However, the loss of six points in back-to-back defeats at the hands of Arthurlie and Hurlford United is likely to prove costly for gaffer Gordon Burns and his Portland Park playing charges as one cannot envisage the Ayrshiremen finishing top of the pile even if they win their final three league matches.

A 40-point total is unlikely to be enough against a challenging pack of clubs headed up by reigning champions Auchinleck Talbot and ETHXenergy Scottish Cup Finalists Pollok even though both their title aspirations were dented by midweek defeats from Kilbirnie Ladeside and Arthurlie respectively.

And that that has opened the door for a trio of emerging Ayrshire contenders in Kilbirnie, Glenafton and Hurlford United.

Blasties team boss Stevie Swift took time out from preparations for his side’s crunch encounter away to Glenafton to express a sense of pride in his players achieving a memorable league double over kingpins Talbot.

He said: "Club historians have told us that Kilbirnie have never previously beaten Talbot home and away in the same season.

“And the most pleasing aspect of all is the fact we fully deserved to come out on top even though a 2-1 scoreline gives the impression there was not much to choose between the teams on the night.

“The truth is we were better all over the pitch and a late penalty kick award stuck away by Graham Wilson was the only way Talbot were ever going to score.”

Posing the question as to whether Swifty considers Kilbirnie as potential champions evoked a stinging retort,

“ I don’t see why not when you consider we have picked up four league wins on the spin and have found a decent goals touch with 13 in our last four games after previously failing to score in five outings.

“That dismal run includes our Junior Cup exit to Pollok and 1-0 league defeats by both Hurlford and Irvine Meadow which knocked the stuffing out of us and had everyone connected with the club on a right downer, myself most of all, but the turnaround by the players has been nothing short of amazing and they deserve all the credit going.

“We now face a very slick and well organised Glenafton knowing a massive performance will be needed if we are to come away with the points however the confidence levels in our dressing room is such that nobody is running scared at the prospect.

”We’ve got our mojo back and cannot wait for kick off time to come around.”

The former Scotland Juniors internationalist puts the change in fortunes down to hard work.

However, he also took time out to praise the blossoming striking partnership of ex-Senior pair Martin Grehan and Kevin Forde .

He added: "Martin has found his Junior feet after a bedding-in period and has been a revelation with his aerial ability and hold up play in recent games.

“He and Kevin have really clicked as a pairing with Fordy so sharp and alert in pouncing on any openings and they are looking more and more the part with every game they play.

“It’s a bit unfair singling them out without mentioning the terrific service coming from the flanks where Caolan McAleer is flying right now while on the opposite wide area, both Ian Gold and Kieron Brannon have alternated to great effect.

“Things going so well on the results front has me reluctant to change our winning line-up. However, the games are coming thick and fast so I have to pick the right time to rotate the squad and let other guys do their bit.”

Sitting sixth top are early season leading lights Rob Roy whose title ambitions have floundered on the back of a horrendous run of injuries which has gaffer Stewart Maxwell resigned to going without fully seven regular picks for hosting the visit of Arthurlie tomorrow.

GaryMcMenamin, Kevin Watt, Stevie Aitken, Chris Duff, Danny Boyle (out for the season), John Carter and Jordan McGuire are rated Rabs non-starters to face the Barrhead men whose 3-1 midweek win over Pollok was watched by Maxi.

He said: "It was an `all hands to the pumps` type performance by Arthurlie in which every single player showed they can scrap with the best as well as playing some clever counter-attacking football.

“Winning against Pollok has earned them breathing space in the battle to avoid relegation but I’ve no doubt Stevie Kerrigan and his players will be coming to Guys Meadow determined to pick up all three points .

“They deservedly beat us 3-1 at Dunterlie in a game of three penalty kicks where we played for all but the opening 15 minutes with ten men after goalkeeper Jordan Brown was red carded .

“I’d have loved to take them on with a full playing deck but injuries go hand in hand with playing 2/3 games per week and most teams are in the same boat as ourselves so we just have to get on with it.

“We might be a bit light on the playing front but tThe one positive is everyone will be getting a strip.”

Rob Roy’s last outing was a Monday night 2-2 draw with Shettleston where Maxi took great store from his injury ravaged squad playing for 50 minutes with ten men after veteran Paul Finnigan was dismissed for denying a goalscoring opportunity with a blatant hand ball.

He said: "The guys did well to be leading 2-1 until conceding a 95th-minute equaliser that was a right kick in the teeth after all our good work.

“There was a lot to be happy about,most of all though we had a superb centre forward display from Willie Sawyers who netted a terrific headed goal and was back to his best after a poor run of form .

“Not many people knew Willie was an injury doubt before the game but his desire to put his body on the line led to him telephoning on Sunday to ask if he could be given right up until kick off time to prove his fitness,

“I’m so glad we waited on him and he could be our ace in the pack for facing Arthurlie .”

TOMORROW'S FIXTURES: (Kick-offs 2pm): New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup. Quarter Finals.

Cumnock v Kilwinning Rangers, Beith v Bellshill Athletic, Auchinleck Talbot v Clydebank.

McBookie.com Super Premier Division.

Rob Roy v Arthurlie, Petershill v Troon, Glenafton v Kilbirnie Ladeside , Hurlford Utd v Shettleston.

McBookie.com Super First Division.

Kilsyth Rangers v Blantyre Vics, Ardrossan Winton Rovers v Shotts Bon Accord.McBookie.com Central First Division Lesmahagow v Dunipace , Johnstone Burgh v St Anthony's, Maryhill v Rossvale, St Roch's v Larkhall Thistle, Neilston v Vale of Clyde , Renfrew v Wishaw.

McBookie.com Central Second Division.

Newmains Utd v Cambuslang Rangers, Royal Albert v Port Glasgow , Forth Wanderers v East Kilbride Thistle, Gartcairn v Benburb.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League.

Dalry Thistle v Girvan, Irvine Vics v Annbank Utd.

Euroscot Central League Cup. Second Round.

Greenock v Lanark Utd (at McKenna Park),Vale of Leven v Cumbernauld Utd, Carluke Rovers v Pollok.

Ayrshire Cup. First Round.

Craigmark v Largs Thistle.

Second Round: Saltcoats Vics v Maybole.