Pollok’s 18-year push for a place in the ETHXenergy Scottish Junior Cup Final was finally realised when the Southside giants prevailed 4-3 in a dramatic penalty kick shoot-out.

Strong nerves were called for after the regulation time 0-0 stalemate with semi-final opponents Hurlford United at Newlandsfield.

A mini-pitch invasion followed after goalkeeper Jordan Longmuir dived left to parry away Ross Robertson’s spot kick.

But the overriding emotion was one of relief for those of a Lok design, not least team boss Tony McInally and his players given they had to overcome the not inconsiderable handicap of playing all but four minutes of the second half with just ten men following the dismissal of Kevin Bradley for the second of two yellow card offences either side of the interval.

With a place in the final stake, the opening 45 minutes were strangely lacklustre they failed to penetrate the Glasgow club’s rearguard, with centre-back pair Chris Walker and Paul Gallaghe outstanding in putting the hems on Ayrshire dangermen Ross Robertson and Stewart Kean.

Indeed, the closest the near 1700 crowd came to a first half goal was when Walker - later named Man of The Match for his towering display - strode upfield at a corner kick to power in a header that crashed off the upright with visiting goalkeeper Ally Brown beaten.

Hurlford’s bank of travelling supporters roared their approval when the unfortunate Bradley received his marching orders before the queue for half- time pies hand been satisfied.

However, their team’s edgy approach out on the pitch continued and an over-reliance on high balls forward played to Pollok and the immense Walker’s strengths.

The 26-year-old said afterwards: "It was tough going out there at times but I always felt Gal and I had it in us to win our duel with Robertson and Kean who are a top notch striking combination.

“Keeping tabs on Robertson when he drifted to the back post as Hurlford rained in crosses after we went down to ten men was particularly difficult though I was fortunate to win my headers however today was a team effort from everyone in a Pollok jersey and not just one or two players.

“The magnitude of what we’ve achieved as a team is only now beginning to sink in as is the prospect of taking part in the Junior Cup Final.”

Pollok were never behind in the shoot-out of 12 spot kicks, but Hurlford’s inability not to get their noses in front was touched upon by disappointed gaffer Darren Henderson in his after-match summations.

“Penalties are a lottery, but we twice scorned the opportunity to go 2-1 ahead and I believe the guys would have won from that position “he insisted.

“That said we never capitalised on our dominance over both legs and the message is again underlined that you run the risk of coming a cropper if you don’t take your chances in Cup- ties .

“It’s galling to think we are out given our goalkeeper Ally Brown has not had a save to make over 180 minutes, but that’s football and I can only wish Tony and his players all the best in the final.”

Clearly delighted Lok boss Macca emerged from his post-match confab with backroom team Stewart Ralston, Brian Sheldon and Brian Crawford to say: "It was a war of attrition out there and not very pleasing on the eye, but our target was to get into the final and we’ve made it.

“Going out on penalty kicks is a horrible way for Hurlford to lose and I have to feel for Darren and his backroom team yet I have to hand it to them for the manner in which they magnanimously accepted their defeat .

“My players have now beaten the best team in the West and the East (Bonnyrigg Rose ) so we have earned our place against Beith whose side includes a number of maverick types that makes them very dangerous opponents in one off games.

“ The cup final is all of five weeks away but we’ll get down to doing our homework on them over the next few days.”