Troon midfield playmaker Colin Spence is adamant he and his team-mates will be treating every game between now and the end of season as a cup final as they seek to gatecrash the Super Premier Division title race.

Unbeaten in an impressive run spanning five league games - taking 13 points from a possible 15 - has hauled the Seasiders up to second top spot in the standings.

They now sit a mere point behind leaders Pollok who are coincidentally the next up visitors to Portland Park this Saturday.

But just to be earning new-found respect through their recent performances is not enough for the experienced Spenny who knows better than most the twists and turns of a title race.

He has figured in four Auchinleck Talbot title winning teams and knows only too well there is no margin for error if Troon are to be crowned champions in late May.

Last night he revealed the secret behind his side’s push for the biggest McBookie.com honour of them all.

He said: "Even our most diehard supporters could never have imagined we might emerge as title challengers following our Scottish Junior Cup horror show when suffering a 2-1 defeat against Darvel in late January.

“We underperformed big style on the day, but the very next training night saw players and management have it out in what might be termed a brutally frank exchange of views behind dressing room doors.

"And it’s probably true to say the response to these home truths being aired has seen Troon go from strength to strength ever since.

“We always believed ourselves capable of holding our own against any of the top teams and to overcome Hurlford United 2-1 in our next outing lifted spirits but also acted to give a huge boost to our confidence.

“Now results have improved no end to the extent we’ve gained credibility among the other challenging clubs who are worried about our charge up the table after previously regarding us as just making up the numbers.

“The upshot is every game is massive, but they don’t come much bigger than going head to head with Pollok knowing a win will put us top of the Super Premier Division.”

A change of playing style brought about by seasoned striker Sean McKenna obtaining a transfer to Wishaw in the immediate aftermath of the cup exit at the hands of Darvel has also contributed to Troon’s emergence in the flag race, according to the 31-year-old.

He said: "Jordan Muir's ability to take on defenders and willingness to drift into deeper areas has helped create a bit more space for Adam Forsyth who has rediscovered the penalty box threat that was instrumental to our winning ways at the start of this season.

“It’s astonishing to think he is only 21 yet has shown the ability to score goals for fun and terrorise some of the best defenders in the Juniors.

“The gaffer Gordon Burn has also unearthed a quality full-back in Dale Keenan ex-Stranraer

while Chris McKnight has been a revelation after dropping back to play as sweeper, where his displays have relegated our club skipper Dean Keenan to the bench until last weekend when he stepped into the breach against Shettleston after Gavin Collins declared himself unfit with a hamstring problem.

“Dean was outstanding and the gaffer is set to have a bit of a selection headache should Gav declare himself fit for facing Pollok. “

The visiting Glasgow side’s determination to hold onto their top of the pile placing will see Tony McInally hold nothing back in seeking to avenge a 2-0 Newlandsfield defeat by the Ayrshiremen in their opening league game back in August.

Macca insisted: "Troon turned us over that day but they’ll be up against a different Pollok on Saturday with at least six regulars in our starting line-up who missed the first meeting not least of all our central defensive pairing of Paul Gallagher and Chris Walker.

“We have only six league games left to play so it’s vital we go down there looking to pick up all three points.”

Another crunch date for Lok fans to note in their diaries is Tuesday, March 22, which is when the names of the southside club, Beith, Hurlford United and either Camelon or Kilwinning Rangers will go into the hat when the ETHXEnergy Junior Cup semi-finals draw will be live streamed by PLZ Soccer(3.00pm).

Meanwhile, Petershill pair Darren McLean and Chris Craig, seen on the Newlandsfield terracings taking in last weekend’s clash between Pollok and their former Kilbirnie Ladeside team-mates, have been placed on the Springburn club’s transfer list along with ex-Vale of Clyde midfielder Beau Longridge.