Only time will tell if Pollok can look back on Saturday as the catalyst that revived their Super Premier Division title dreams.

But right here and now it would be folly to bet it against on the evidence of a sparkling and fully deserved 2-0 victory over reigning champions Auchinleck Talbot.

A near-1100 crowd watched on from Newlandsfield’s slopes as Tony McInally’s men scored twice in a second half they dominated from first whistle to last.

And a clearly delighted Lok boss emerged afterwards to succinctly sum up his side’s high energy display.

He said: "We had a game plan that enabled us to do Talbot today what they have been doing to other teams for years.”

Macca went on to lavish praise on what he felt was a superb overall team performance on the day.

However, he made special mention of Davie Winters, scorer of the game’s opening goal who has faced question marks aplenty over whether he deserves to hold down a striking jersey, as well as wing ace Gary McCann…the recipient of a bottle of champagne for being named man of the match.

He admitted: “I have to hold my hand up for continuing to play Davie during October and November when he was clearly struggling with an injury and being unfairly criticised as a result.

“He’s now fit again and his predatory skills are back at their best as he demonstrated with his

goal today while the special qualities he brings to the team were shown by his skill and vision in picking out Liam Rowan’s run for our second goal .

“I also felt Gaz (Gary McCann) absolutely roasted Talbot’s defence with his direct running at pace and I believe he is finally settling down at this club and beginning to show why we fought hard to bring him here in the first place.”

Pollok sprung a surprise in their starting line-up with the inclusion of Grant Evans instead of Tam Hanlon an indication of McInally’s preference for three centre-backs in a 3-5-2 formation while the injured Gordon Pope was posted missing from the visiting selection which also had Bryan Young listed as a substitute.

The game began with McCann showing signs of what was to come by racing clear down the right flank to fire over a low cross that Robbie Winters clipped high over the crossbar and Pollok’s edging of the opening exchanges was summed up when the same two players combined for the best goalscoring chance of the game in 32 minutes with Winters blasting a first time shot just inches over from McCann’s feed.

Auchinleck were strangely punchless and offered little threat other than Mark Shankland’s dead ball deliveries however an exception was the five minutes approaching half time when Lok keeper Jordan Longmuir produced fine stops to deny a Craig McCracken header and Graham Wilson shot.

The second period saw Pollok suffer a blow when the combative Alan McKenzie had to come off with double vision following a high foot challenge Ross Stewart but the introduction of striker Michael Daly and the subsequent deployment of Robbie Winters into a deeper role did not unduly affect the home team and shortly afterwards their supporting legions were roaring their approval as McCann cut in from his wing beat to fire a left shot wide of target.

The breakthrough goal in 61 minutes was as route one as they come with Longmuir kicking long from his hands and the ball bouncing once into Auchinleck’s penalty box where the failure of central defenders Danny Boyle and Martin McGoldrick to clear their lines allowed Davie Winters to pounce and hook a low shot past Leishman for 1-0.

Auchinleck manager Tommy Sloan’s response was to introduce three substitutes, but Pollok’s defensive trio of Evans, Paul Gallagher and Ross McCabe easily dealt with a barrage of crosses into their area and victory was sealed three minutes from the end when a clever Winters scoop pass found Rowan bursting past a static Talbot backline and he rounded Leishman to fire into the net before his turning away to celebrate with supporters brought the game’s sixth yellow card.

It proved easier to pin down star turn McCann in the pavilion afterwards and he gave his unassuming take on what supporters were calling his best ever game in a Pollok jersey.

He said: "It’s not for me to say whether that’s the case or not, but I certainly enjoyed getting a lot of the ball today thanks to the service of my team-mates.

“Maybe the change of formation did the trick but I felt more involved and confident right from the first whistle and hopefully there is more to come.”

The Ayrshire side’s ineffectual performance was not to gaffer Sloan’s liking and he was clearly simmering with rage when saying later,

” I’m bitterly disappointed to admit Pollok showed a greater zip to their play and a greater heart for the battle than our players.

“ I can accept losing games but not in the manner we did today and it falls upon me to come up with reasons and make the changes to put things right.”

Pollok’s triumph moved them into third top spot ,eight points adrift of frontrunners Rob Roy who recovered from going 1-0 down to a Paul McKenzie goal for Hurlford United to earn a 1-1 draw through a headed Davie Barr equaliser.

The Rabs slip up was pounced upon by nearest challengers Glenafton whose 1-0 defeat of Cumnock thanks to Darren McGill’s score moves Glens to within two points of the leaders and crucially with a game in hand.

And sitting handily just off the pace are Beith for whom Calum Watt(2) and Kenny McLean were on target in a 3-1 defeat of struggling Troon who have slipped to third bottom spot just ahead of Largs Thistle who had James Marks to thank for climbing off the foot of the table with a 1-0 victory over new bottom markers Kilwinning Rangers.

The day’s highest scoring affair was at Dunterlie where Arthurlie staged a great comeback from 0-2 down against Kilbirnie Ladeside to win 4-3 thanks to a hat trick from Gary Carroll and Jordan Leyden counter.

Weekend results: McBookie.com Super Premier Division.

Beith 3 Troon 1, Arthurlie 4 Kilbirnie Ladeside 3, Hurlford Utd 1 Rob Roy 1, Cumnock 0 Glenafton 1, Pollok 2 Auchinleck Talbot 0, Kilwinning Rangers 0 Largs Thistle 1.

McBookie.com Super First Division.

Petershill 1 Girvan 3, Cumbernauld Utd 3 Shotts Bon Accord 6, Irvine Vics 1 Renfrew 3, Blantyre Vics 1 Clydebank 4, Kilsyth Rangers 1 Maryhill 1, Yoker Athletic, Shettleston 1 Irvine Meadow 1, Rutherglen Glencairn 1 Yoker Athletic 1.

McBookie.com Central First Division

Bellshill Athletic 1 Lesmahagow 5, Greenock 1 Cambuslang Rangers 4, St Roch's 0 Rossvale 3, Benburb 2 Larkhall Thistle 3, Johnstone Burgh 2 Wishaw2, Neilston 4 Vale of Clyde 1.

McBookie.com Central Second Division. Newmains Utd 2 Lanark Utd 3, Port Glasgow 2 East Kilbride Thistle 1, Gartcairn 1 St Anthony's 3, Glasgow Perthshire. 5 Carluke Rovers 2, Ashfield 2 Vale of Leven 2, Royal Albert 1 Dunipace 0.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League. Darvel 1 Kello Rovers 0, Annbank Utd 1 Maybole 2, Ardeer Thistle 1 Ardrossan Winton Rovers 4, Lugar Boswell 3 Saltcoats Vics 2, Dalry Thistle 2 Whitletts Vics 1, Craigmark 1 Muirkirk 3.