THERE are no prizes for guessing what is the standout game in tonight’s vastly slimmed down midweek fixture card.

No disrespect to Super First promotion challengers Clydebank and Kilwinning Rangers – who have must-win contests against Rutherglen Glencairn and Cumbernauld United respectively – but there can surely be no more enticing proposition than the McBookie.com Super Premier Division head to head between Hurlford United and Auchinleck Talbot at Blair Park .

A last-day scenario beckons in Talbot’s case, for whom a draw suffices if they are to be crowned champions for a fourth successive season whereas Darren Henderson’s men need the three points on offer as well as further victories over Rob Roy and Irvine Meadow in their remaining league games to finish top of the pile.

Such a dramatic finale was never envisaged less than a month ago when the reigning kingpins looked odds-on to be celebrating yet another title success, however Talbot offered the chasing pack an initiative by losing out to Troon and Kilbirnie Ladeside.

And nobody turned up the intensity better than a battling Hurlford whose response to suffering a morale sapping ETHXenergy Scottish Junior Cup semi-final exit against Pollok – on penalty kicks – was to embark on an unbeaten run of seven league outings.

Indeed, their sense of timing in what has been a never less than absorbing title race is not all that different to a track athlete kicking off the final bend even though it remains to be seen whether Danny Mitchell & Co retain the stamina for a dash to the finishing line.

And it’s advantage Auchinleck going into tonight’s showdown given the decisive manner of their 2-0 West of Scotland Cup Final triumph when these great adversaries locked horns last Friday night.

It’s understandable if their tails are up yet one cannot help but think the high expectations of supporters will put added pressure on the Tommy Sloan steered Bot to deliver another Super Premier title and the greater prize that goes with it of entry into next season’s Scottish Cup proper.

That resounding West Cup win showcased the team mentality that has brought Talbot to the forefront of Junior football for nigh on 30 years and it will be needed again tonight according to assistant manager Alan McLuckie .

He said: “Anyone watching last Friday could see it was a real team effort from every single player and we’ll need more of the same at Blair Park.

“It’s a different game, a different venue and different stakes on offer so we simply cannot go there expecting to come out on top because you can bet Hurlford will be hurting and determined to get back at us.

“This game will be no different to our previous meetings this season and will go the way of the team that turns up on the night and wants it more.”

Auchinleck’s defence has been criticised for not hitting the heights this season yet they boast the best goals against figures in the Super Premier standings and looked a really solid unit on Friday with Martin McGoldrick restored to their backline.

And this defensive base was reinforced by unsung hero Stevie White patrolling in front of their back four as a high energy holding midfielder thus allowing more attack minded team mates Bryan Young, Graham Wilson and Dwayne Hyslop to get into forward areas .

You can dress up their shape and talk of tactical nous but in essence Talbot’s greatest asset is having hard working players in every area of the pitch that makes them extremely difficult to play against.

If Hurlford are to prevail then much will depend upon the fitness of top scoring marksman Stewart Kean whose contribution last Friday was limited to a fleeting appearance off the substitutes bench when the Final was as good as lost.

Keano is a prolific goalscorer and adept at getting on the end of burly striking partner Ross Robertson’s flicks around the penalty area and gaffer Hendo’s dilemma is whether to gamble on him even though the striker’s calf muscle problem is the sort of injury that could return if he is rushed back before being ready.

But the need to outgun Auchinleck on the night will surely force the Hurlford boss to go for broke.

PLAYING TONIGHT: (Kick Offs 7.30 PM): McBookie.com Super Premier Division. Hurlford Utd v Auchinleck Talbot.McBookie.com Super First Division. Cumbernauld Utd v Kilwinning Rangers, Clydebank v Rutherglen Glencairn..McBookie.com Central First Division Vale of Clyde v Thorniewood Utd.