Team boss Darren Henderson reckoned Hurlford United saved their best for last in running out 2-0 winners over Auchinleck Talbot in last night’s Ayrshire Cup Final.

A healthy crowd took in the Meadow Park clash between sides who have locked horns on four previous occasions this season - Talbot coming out on top each time.

But there was never any likelihood of the West Region kingpins making it a nap hand of victories after a blistering first half performance from a hungrier looking Ford.

They went ahead around the 16th-minute mark when Gus Cochrane curled a sublime 25-yard shot high past nervy Bot replacement keeper Robert Kerr who was similarly left helpless when a Gordon Pope headed passback in 40 minutes fell short allowing Stewart Kean to nip in and round Kerr before slotting the ball into the empty net for 2-0.

A horror opening 45 minutes for Talbot went from bad to worse when Kerr came for a high cross and landed on top of defensive lynchpin Martin McGoldrick who was forced to come off with what appeared to be an arm injury allowing James Latta to come on at right back with Willie Lyle moving inside

And another injury blow occurred minutes later when Keir Milliken left the field with an eye gash to be replaced by David Gormley playing his last game for Auchinleck before stepping up to Clyde.

The frontman’s introduction saw Talbot pose more of an attacking threat in the second half.

However, the closest they came to scoring was a back post Mark Campbell header saved by goalkeeper Ally Brown as the game developed into a midfield battle with precious few clear cut openings of any note.

Hendo admitted: "Probably as good a performance as we’ve served up all season and I’m delighted for the players to pick up a medal for all their efforts this season, particularly those guys who will be moving on to pastures new in the summer months.

“Proving we have the beating of Auchinleck is a major boost for confidence given all that has happened beforehand.”

Beaten gaffer Tommy Sloan was as ever magnanimous in defeat, saying: “I don’t want to take anything away from Hurlford when I say tonight looked like a game too many for my players after a long season.

“Our normal application was missing and the better team won on the night so congratulations to Hendo and his players.”