Pollok skipper Paul Gallagher has saluted team-mate David Winters for the brace that secure their first league win of the season last weekend.

Winters' deadly double ensured a 2-1 victory over Kilbirnie Ladeside for Tony McInally's southsiders.

And that precious win has acted to boost confidence in the Newlandsfield dressing room and leave Gal & Co feeling they can rise to the challenge of taking on tabletoppers Hurlford United at Blair Park tomorrow.

The clash promises a number of eagerly awaited head-to-head.

None more so than Gal trying to curb the scoring threat of the Ayrshire outfit’s in-form frontman Ross Robertson.

However, the big stopper reckons United’s backline might have a tougher gig in seeking to contain Lok hitman Winters.

He said: “The lad Robertson can be a handful and is undoubtedly one of the best bustling type strikers going the rounds as well as an ideal foil for Stewart Kean who is more of a penalty box predator.

“ I know to expect a really tough time of it, but a physical battle is more my cup of tea rather than keeping tabs on someone like David, who is a master at dropping off defenders to find space for taking the ball into feet before playing runners in.

“He also possesses a natural finisher’s knack of being in the right place at the right time as he showed in the couple of early goals he nicked against Kilbirnie.

"Having him in the team is so important because it’s essential to stick away your chances in this Super Premier Division...especially playing away from home.”

The former Queens Park defender who was receiving precautionary treatment on a niggling knee problem in midweek, reflected on Pollok’s indifferent start to their league campaign.

He added: “We probably got what we deserved in the defeats by Troon and Arthurlie before finally showing signs of getting our act together in the 1-1 draw down at Irvine Meadow where we dominated from start to finish and should have picked up three points but for a very controversial decision.

“ We picked up where we left off at home to Kilbirnie but after making a dream start, we went into a shell after they pulled a goal back and we made heavy weather of picking up the points even when they went down to ten men.

“We took a lot of pressure because of our inability to keep the ball and nerves kicked in as we sat deep trying to ensure we recorded that first win.

“Tony is forever stressing the need for us to play in an entertaining manner but last week’s game was definitely more about getting a result than our performance.”

Last night, Lok boss McInally reported a fully-fit squad at his disposal for the first time this season ahead of the trip into the Ayrshire heartlands where last season his side came a Scottish Cup cropper by a 3-1 scoreline.

Hesaid: “I’m absolutely relaxed about our season to date not least because I have players here who are growing nto the Super Premier Division and getting better with every passing week.

“Removing the monkey off our back with the win over Kilbirnie has made a huge difference to the mood in our camp and everyone is upbeat and looking forward to testing ourselves against a very strong Hurlford.

“Yes, we know points will not be easy come by given Darren Henderson already had one of the best playing squads around yet he has gone out and made considerable strengthening moves with the additions of guys such as Richie McKillen and Ryan Borris.

“I’ve no doubt they will be a title challenger so our mission is to show our own mettle and give them a game of it.”

Macca bubbled over with enthusiasm in speaking of Gallagher’s inspirational qualities at the heart of Pollok’s defence.

He added: “Gal is a first class professional and a truly outstanding defender whom I believe has few if any peers at Junior level and his tussle with the big lad Robertson could be worth the admission money alone tomorrow .

“Another major plus in our favour is the return to form of Davie Winters, whose team play in recent weeks has been phenomenal and he deserved his reward of a couple of goals against Kilbirnie.

“ A deal has been agreed to get his brother Robbie back on board after a few months away and I couldn’t be happier.

"He’s a real down-to-earth guy and the beauty of having him around the place is he makes others play.

“I’ve high hopes of Derek Hepburn learning his trade from training and playing with him as indeed will our latest striking prospect 20-year-old Steven Hughes, formerly of Motherwell, whose speed off the mark gives us another string to our bow.”

Hurlford gaffer Hendo owned up to having Pollok watched last weekend and he revealed reports were very complimentary.

“By all accounts they merited their win over Kilbirnie who are a much improved side as we know only too well from experience this season.

“Our own win against Arthurlie was marked by a superb display of centre forward play by Ross Robertson however a lot of our guys are not hitting the heights just yet even though the team is sitting top of the table.

“We’ve never led the way since I came here as manager and it’s a nice position to be in.

"But matters can change at the beat of a heart because it shows how competitive this Division is when every single Super Premier team has lost at least one game already.”

On the team front he revealed: “Euan Blair and Ryan Donnelly are definite non-starters and there is every likelihood Ryan will be missing longer term and needing surgery to cure his footballer’s ankle.”

“Their absences are a blow but on the upside, Glenn Mitchell trained this week to prove his fitness and Ryan Borris made a scoring return last week so our squad is at long last getting near full strength.

“Getting the guys to play to their abilities is the last piece of the jigsaw.”