POLLOK are the undisputed best in the west after their 6-2 annihilation of Kilsyth Rangers.

Rab Sneddon's side clinched the Stagecoach Super Premier League title in some style, with a blistering attacking display that simply blew their opponents away.

The scoring honours belonged to striker Robert Downs, whose hat-trick earned him a rousing ovation from Lok fans.

An ecstatic Downsy said: "It really doesn't get any better than this for me. I'm not the most prolific scorer, so to get three in the game that wins the title is beyond my wildest dreams.

"Kilsyth gave us a hard time of it in the first half but had no answer when we stepped up a gear."

Nerves, which were understandably apparent in an edgy opening spell, were put to bed when the Lok opened the scoring after 12 minutes. Zander Ryan made space on the right flank to power over a low cross which the alert Downs guided past home goalkeeper Gavin Stevely with a deft touch.

Now relaxed, the Glasgow cracks went 2-0 up with a well-placed header from midfielder David McGeown.

However, as if to show they were not just making up the numbers, Kilsyth fought back and halved their deficit in 25 minutes.

John Goodwin started and finished the move, feeding Andy Scott on the right wing and then being perfectly placed to steer the return into the net.

There were no more first-half goals, but Kilsyth did suffer a setback when powerful stopper Greg McDonald went over on a knee and was replaced by Craig Smillie.

The substitute wasted a great opportunity to level matters immediately after the restart, when he completely missed a headed scoring chance that he and his team lived to regret as Pollok scored in their very next attack.

McGeown rifled in a low 15-yard shot through a ruck of players, following a corner kick for No.3.

The end-to-end thrills continued as a Brian Welsh header clipped the top of Kris Robertson's crossbar, before Downs wrapped up the points with a coolly-taken penalty kick, awarded when Bryan Dingwall was sent crashing inside the box by Smillie.

The best was yet to come from the Lok striker, because in 62 minutes he rose above everyone to meet a Ryan corner and head powerfully past a helpless Stevely.

Kilsyth's beleaguered backline were glad to see the back of him when, not long afterwards, he was replaced by Alan Waddell, who wasted no time in making his presence felt.

Fed by a McGeown pass, the pacy striker turned inside his marker to send a left-footed drive into the corner of the net to seal a resounding win.

Modest Lok boss Rab Sneddon said: "I've been fortunate to win a lot of trophies as a Junior boss, but this has to be the best of the lot.

"All credit is due to the players for the character they have shown in bouncing back from an indifferent start to the season."

The pressure of trying to catch Pollok told on closest challengers Auchinleck, who were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Arthurlie, for whom Alan McFadden's second- half goal levelled Gavin Friels' opener.

Cumbernauld kept alive hopes of pipping Clydebank to the second Central First Division promotion spot, thanks to an Andy Scott hat-trick and a Paul McLaughlin counter in their 4-1 victory over Blantyre Vics.

Lanark's promotion dream was ended by a 3-2 loss to St Anthony's, while champions Rob Roy suffered a rare reverse by the same scoreline down at Port Glasgow.