HE wasn't for giving a rendition of "My Way" but Rab Sneddon made a farewell that Frank Sinatra himself would have been proud of.

His last-ever game in charge of Pollok saw him take the final curtain clutching hold of the Evening Times Cup-Winners' Cup as a result of his side's 3-1 victory over Cumnock at Lochburn Park.

Rab was always guaranteed the acclaim of supporters even before clinching this eighth taste of trophy success in his memorable four-year Newlands-field tenure.

However, theirs was a particularly rousing ovation on the back of a magnificent gesture by the Lok players in ushering their gaffer forward to accept the Evening Times silverware.

It all proved too much for the Lok boss, who was visibly moved as he heaped praise on his playing charges who completed a second successive Super Premier and Evening Times Cup double.

"I'm delighted for the boys to have lifted this cup at the end of such a long and tiring season," he grinned.

"At times they appeared to be running on empty, yet their terrific winning desire helped come up with the energy to finish the game as the stronger team.

"And, with the vast majority of these players staying on with the club, I am sure Pollok can go from strength to strength next season and beyond.

"It has been my undoubted privilege to manage them for the past four seasons."

A near 800 crowd were given little to cheer about from the early sparring in which neither side took any risks and the tedium was only broken by a 17th-minute long-range effort by Robert Downs that flew high over Cumnock keeper Graham Potter's crossbar.

Undaunted, the Lok front man, my man-of-the-match, had better luck making a scoring breakthrough 23 minutes when he rose well and applied the merest of glances to despatch an inswinging Stevie Miller cross into the far corner of the net.

Cumnock suffered a further blow as the clearly struggling Gareth Campbell, a pre-match injury doubt, limped off to be replaced by veteran player/coach Darren Henderson.

Yet this enforced change actually improved the Ayrshiremen's lot as Hendo's ultra-combative presence, allied to the promptings of Stevie Farrell, began to assert a midfield dominance.

Indeed, they were almost back on level terms just after the half hour mark as Michael Hughes set up David McInally, whose thundering 16-yard shot smacked off the underside of the crossbar and rebounded to safety.

Lok keeper Kris Robertson could have been excused if that attempt had gone in, however the blame was his and his alone when Cumnock's incessant pressure paid off with a 37th-minute equaliser from Hughes.

The tall striker was fortuitously positioned to slot home from close range after Robertson inexplicably spilled Stevie Desmond's driven cross into his path.

And matters almost took a turn for the worse for Pollok right on the stroke of half-time only for Nock midfielder Paul Cameron contriving to slash a shot high over the crossbar from no more than six yards out.

Hardly had the second period got underway than Cumnock were to rue these missed chances as David McGeown latched on to a Raymond Logan through ball to round Potter and fire Pollok into a 2-1 lead.

This slender advantage was almost doubled and then cancelled out as firstly, Potter brilliantly blocked a point-blank Bryan Dingwall volley while, at the other end, Henderson headed high over when it looked easier to score.

End-to-end near things continued apace as Robertson made amends for his earlier gaffe to deny both McInally and Richie Barr before Downs lobbed Potter only for his audacious scoring attempt to also clear the crossbar.

With time ticking away, Pollok clinched a second successive Evening Times victory with a goal of exquisite beauty created by outstanding teamwork.

A sweeping move saw substitute Davie Turnbull release Downs, who unselfishly picked out Dingwall and the pocket dynamo striker zipped a low shot past Potter.

Said a jubilant Downsy, whose thinning hairline had team-mates nicknaming him Arjen Robben (after the Dutch winger): "After last week's debacle (losing 5-1 against Kilbirnie Ladeside) we owed it to Rab to play a lot better.

"It was tough going because Cumnock played really well but, over the piece, we probably just edged it.

"It's a great honour to be named man-of-the-match but, for me, Andy McLay coming on at half-time made all the difference as our passing improved no end with him dictating matters."

Disappointed Nock boss Campbell Money felt his players had more than held their own against the Super Premier champions.

And he reckons a continuance of the same energy levels and form is needed to cement their top-flight place in the Stagecoach play-off double-header against Kilwinning Rangers, the first leg of which takes place at Townhead Park tonight.

"We matched Pollok in open play and there's not much more we could have done other than take our chances," he insisted.

"Hopefully it is just a case of us keeping a few goals in reserve for the Kilwinning games because I can see us needing to play every bit as well to get past them."

Money has major selection woes with twin defensive stalwarts Stuart McDonald and Stevie Murray rated definite non-starters, however youngster Graham Wilson looks set to return after illness ruled him out of Saturday's match.

And there is every chance that 48 hours' rest might help injured midfielder Campbell win his fitness fight.

RESULTS

Stagecoach Super First: Maybole 4 Johnstone Burgh 2.

TONIGHT