THE prospect of a genuine Super Premier Division title race in the second half of the season has grown arms and legs following the latest round of league fixtures.

Frontrunners Rob Roy took full advantage of an Arthurlie slip-up and their other main rivals being otherwise engaged in the Scottish Junior Cup to open up a four-point gap atop the standings thanks to a Shaun Fraser inspired 5-1 victory over Kilwinning Rangers.

The attacking midfielder helped himself to three of the Kirkintilloch side’s goals in serving up what Rabs team boss Stewart Maxwell termed a “coming of age“ display.

He said: “Shaun showed on Saturday exactly why I rate him as the best goalscoring midfielder going the rounds in Junior football.

“He netted the perfect hat-trick of right foot shot, left foot and header yet could easily have ended up with five goals to his name seeing as he missed a penalty-kick and also had a net bound effort cleared off the line.

“He has taken time to adjust but his performance against the Buffs proved my decision to bring him to Rob Roy during the close season was the correct one and I can see him becoming a massive player for us over the coming months.

”A lot of people were questioning whether we might find goals hard to come by without Willie Sawyers but the guys provided the perfect answer.”

Next up for the league leaders is a crunch trip through to Barrhead to meet their “bogey” side Arthurlie whose faltering title challenge suffered yet another damaging setback when they relinquished a 2-0 half-time lead to lose out by the odd goal in a nine-goal thriller against Hurlford United.

This inability to close the back door has been the Achilles heel of Stevie Kerrigan’s men ever since the season got underway and their managing just one clean sheet in 11 league matches to date is hardly a sign of the defensive steel that one associates with would-be champions.

For that very reason , fifth placed Cumnock’s title hopes can almost certainly be similarly discounted, however able to take great encouragement from their current goals against columns are the Ayrshire trio of Glenafton, reigning champions Auchinleck Talbot and Beith who are looking most likely to contest the title honours along with Rob Roy.

Only one other top flight side, Pollok appear capable of getting into the mix but only if a recruitment drive during Senior football’s January transfer window can result in the capture of two or three key signings able give the Southsiders the extra momentum and belief needed to overhaul their rivals.

Matters are even tighter to call in the Super First Division where there appears to be no lack of sustained competition in the offing with fully six clubs, Kilsyth Rangers, Shettleston, Petershill, Clydebank ,Irvine Meadow and Girvan harbouring dreams of finishing atop the pile next May.

A resounding 8-0 defeat of near neighbours Cumbernauld United on Saturday in which striker Scott Davidson netted a hat-trick only enhanced Kilsyth’s stock but doggedly staying on their shirt tails are Shettleston for whom Jordan Halsham and Peter Weatherson were on target in a hard fought 2-1 victory over Girvan whose falter was shared by Clydebank in going down 2-1 at home to Renfrew for whom seasoned stopper Anton Heffron netted the winning goal.

And looking as if they mean business are Petershill, up into third top spot following an emphatic 6-0 triumph over Shotts Bon Accord that has Willie Patterson’s men in buoyant mood going into this week’s clash with city rivals Maryhill at Lochburn Park.

SATURDAY’S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 1.45pm unless stated)

Scottish Junior Cup Third Round Replays (1.30pm): Culter v East Kilbride Thistle, Bonnyrigg Rose v Thorniewood Utd, Greenock v Stonehaven.

McBookie.com Super Premier Division: Arthurlie v Rob Roy, Auchinleck Talbot v Kilbirnie Ladeside, Hurlford Utd v Largs Thistle, Cumnock v Pollok, Kilwinning Rangers v Beith, Troon v Glenafton.

McBookie.com Super First Division: Yoker v Shotts Bon Accord, Maryhill v Petershill, Irvine Vics v Shettleston, Kilsyth Rangers v Blantyre Vics, Cumbernauld Utd v Clydebank, Girvan v Irvine Meadow, Renfrew v Rutherglen Glencairn.

McBookie.com Central First Division: Lesmahagow v Wishaw, Neilston v Bellshill Athletic , Benburb v Cambuslang Rangers, St Roch’s v Forth Wanderers, Johnstone Burgh v Vale of Clyde, Larkhall Thistle v Rossvale.

McBookie.com Central Second Division: Ashfield v Port Glasgow, Gartcairn v Royal Albert, Glasgow Perthshire v Lanark Utd, Dunipace v St Anthony’s, Newmains Utd v Carluke Rovers.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League: Maybole v Kello Rovers, Muirkirk v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Lugar Boswell v Whitletts Vics, Annbank Utd v Craigmark, Darvel v Dalry Thistle.