Renfrew hitman Chris Zok is refusing to get carried after watching his team close to taking the scalp of Super Premier big guns Hurlford United on Saturday.

The two sides came together for a keenly-contested New Western Park 1-1 draw, which saw a last-gasp John Gemmell headed equaliser prevent the Frew recording a morale boosting victory in their latest friendly workout.

Yet a contented Zok - he netted the game’s opening score – played down talk of his side proving their battle-readiness for the new Junior season.

He said: "Today was a bit more like ourselves and I put that down to the return of Anton Heffron and Stewart McDonald helping to stiffen the backbone of the team and make us difficult to break down.

“Neither can we ignore the fact there was a more familiar look about our line-up with fewer trialists on show than previous outings as we’ve struggled to create openings while guys have been finding their feet.

“Our overall play was certainly better today, but you have to take into account that we’re a bit ahead of the Hurlford players in terms of preparations as they were taking part in first of their pre-season games.

“Our display was a step in the right direction but no more than that.”

Renfrew’s goal came from a well worked move that saw a long kick upfield touched by Zok into the path of striking partner Gary McGarroch.

He held the ball before cleverly playing in overlapping full back Fraser Barbour whose cross from almost on the byeline found Zok rising at the far post to head high into the net.

The marksman added: "Gary’s return to the club is a timely one given Alain Kinney’s long-term injury and when fully fit he has the close control and upper body strength to make himself a handful for defences.

“He gave us an hour today before making way for Scott Morton and when you think we also have Darren Jones to come back into the mix from injury, then we are not too badly off for forward line options .”

Fully another eight Super First Division wannabes were in friendly action with Shettleston racking up the most resounding outcome as goals from Ryan McStay, Ryan Scott, Rikky McIntosh(2) and player-boss Peter Weatherstone (2) saw the Town run out 6-0 winners over Forth Wanderers.

Alan Vezza and Stevie Young were on target in Clydebank’s 2-0 defeat of Greenock and there were goals aplenty at Hannah Park where Shotts Bon Accord raced into a 4-0 lead against Cambuslang Rangers through goals from Danny Burns, Kris Russell, Dean Sutherland and Ally Martin (pen) but were left holding on after the Wee Gers roared back with second-half strikes from Bob Davidson(2) and Jamie McLeod.

Further afield, new-look Irvine Meadow demonstrated battling qualities in twice coming from a goal behind - Ian Seymour and Greg Vernon were on the scoresheet - to eke out a 2-2 draw against Dundee Violet.

Not so fortunate were Yoker Athletic narrowly beaten 1-0 away to Arthurlie for whom Gary Smith was on the mark while Maryhill lost out 2-1 to Colin Spence and Adam Forsyth goals for Troon at Portland Park and a much heavier defeat was suffered by Kilsyth Rangers in going down 7-2 at home to Linlithgow Rose.

And striker David Adams giving newly promoted Irvine Vics a 1-0 lead at home to Glasgow Perthshire only sparked the visitors into a three goal response from Scott Forrester, Craig Smith and Bradley Rodden that culminated in a 3-2 victory for the Shire after Paul Young netted a second for the Vics.

Elsewhere, Beith’s impressive pre-season form continued as Kenny McLean , Div McGwan and Cami Elliot shared the scoring honours in a 3-1 triumph at Tranent and a rejuvenated Ashfield emerged 2-0 to the good against West Park Under 21’s through counters from Michael Giblin and Chris Moulangou while Rob Roy had Chris Duff and Willie Sawyers scores to thank for a 2-0 defeat of Haddington Athletic.

In the more prestigious pre-season tournaments, Bonnyrigg Rose were comprehensive winners of the Glenafton staged Joe Meldrum Cup after scoring 12 goals without reply in games against the hosts and Vale of Clyde, while Shildon From County Durham took the Robbie Glen silverware at Valefield Park with a 3-0 victory over hosts Kilbirnie Ladeside in yesterday’s Final.

Earlier in the day, Paddy Cullen bagged a hat trick as Rutherglen Glencairn recovered from 0-2 down to beat Wishaw 3-2 in the third place play-off.

WEEKEND FRIENDLY RESULTS: Arthurlie 1 Yoker Athletic 0, Renfrew 1 Hurlford Utd 1,Dundee Violet 2 Irvine Meadow2 , Clydebank 2 Greenock 0, Benburb 1 Dundee X1 4, Ardeer Thistle 2 Neilston 0, Thorniewood Utd 1 East Kilbride Thistle 0, Troon 2 Maryhill 1, Cumnock 3 Lanark Utd 0, Oban Saints 5 St Anthonys 1, Haddington Athletic 0 Rob Roy 2, Irvine Vics 2 Glasgow Perthshire 3, Shotts Bon Accord 4 Cambuslang Rangers 3, Kilsyth Rangers 2 Linlithgow Rose 7,Larkhall Thistle 7 Abbey Vale 1, Saltcoats Vics 2 Port Glasgow 1, Forth Wanderers 0 Shettleston 6, Lochee Harp 3 St Rochs 5, Tranent 1 Beith 3, Lugar Boswell 2 Carluke Rovers 2, Newmains Utd 4 Bellshill Athletic 5, Muirkirk 1 Creetown Thistle 0, Pumpherston 1 Ardrossan Winton Rovers 4. JOE MELDRUM TOURNAMENT: Glenafton 3 Vale of Clyde 0, Bonnyrigg Rose 7 Vale of Clyde 0, Bonnyrigg Rose 5 Glenafton 0, ROBBIE GLEN TOURNAMENT Kilbirnie Ladeside 3 Wishaw 1, Rutherglen Glencairn 1 Shildon 1.(Shildon win 5-4 pens). Rutherglen Glencairn v Wishaw ,FINAL. Kilbirnie Ladeside v Shildon.

PLAYING TONIGHT: Pollok v Rossvale, Benburb v St MirrenUnder 20’s,

CLYDESDALE CUP (Semi Final).Lanark Utd v Carluke Rovers.