FULL BACK Tam Hanlon netted a sensational hat trick last night as Pollok underlined their claims as Exsel Group Cup favourites after qualifying for the quarter finals with an emphatic 5-1 rout of Neilston.

The experienced stopper netted the game’s opening goal with a well struck free kick with only eight minutes on the clock.

However battling Neilston were soon back on level terms through Robert Storrie.

Hanlon was on the mark again with a stunning strike into the top corner to earn the Newlandsfield outfit a half-time lead that was extended early in the second half by Carlo Monti – who had come on as a substitute for David Winters.

Neilston’s hopes of staging a comeback were given a huge blow with the dismissal of defender Euan Clark for two yellow card offences and salt was rubbed into their wounds by another scorching Hanlon free kick and an Alan McKenzie back heel goal for 5-1.

Greenock remained unbeaten after a hard-fought 1-1 draw at home to Johnstone Burgh and they look set to be paired with Shettleston, 2-0 victors over St Rochs thanks to counters from Ryan Scott and player/manager Peter Weatherson at the James McGrory Stadium.

Shettleston’s qualification was assured when nearest challengers Petershill were denied victory over Bellshill Athletic thanks to a last-minute goal from ex-Town forward Kyle Robertson that clinched a 3-3 draw at New Petershill Park.

First half strikes by Chris Wilson, Peter Bradley and Paul Callander appeared to have the Peasy coasting to victory but a battling Bellshill came roaring back with second-half scores by Declan Brown and Chrissy McCormack setting up Robertson’s dramatic finale.

Elsewhere, Lanark United pushed themselves into pole position in Section 1 after Shaun Gallagher bagged the only goal of the game at home to Royal Albert and there’s final-day drama promised in Section 2 after leading pair Gartcairn and Wishaw played out a pulsating 2-2 stalemate .

Gartcairn’s early lead from a Martin Harty effort was cancelled out by a Ryan Smillie counter for the visiting Wishaw who again found themselves trailing when prolific marksman Gary Millar restored the home side’s advantage, but former Kilbirnie Ladeside marksman Smillie had the last laugh to earn his side what may yet prove to be a precious share of the spoils.

Rutherglen Glencairn boosted their hopes of finishing atop the Section 4 pile with a 2-1 comeback win away to Blantyre Vics thanks to Paddy Cullen (pen) and Del McNab finding the net. But matters are going to the last day in Section 6 after arch rivals Clydebank and Yoker Athletic carved out wins.

Alan Frizzell, following good play from Jordan Shelvey, and Mark Burbridge did the damage for the Bankies in a 2-0 Lochburn Park triumph over Maryhill while Yoker had Gary Arbuckle and Ryan Hynes (2) on target in a 3-1 defeat of Glasgow Perthshire.

In the Ardagh Glass Cup ties played, Cumnock ran out 2-0 winners over Glenafton through Calum McRobbie and Greg Auld scored while Auchinleck Talbot boosted their last-eight chances with a 2-0 defeat of Lugar Boswell.

Troon came from 1-0 down against Craigmark to win 4-1 through Scott Chatham (2), Ryan Nisbet and Adam Forsyth goals and Beith maintained their unbeaten ways thanks to a Calum watt brace of goals earning a 2-2 draw at home to Largs Thistle, who had led 2-1 through Matty Bennett and Bryan Slaven.

Shock of the night was Irvine Meadow succumbing to a 1-0 defeat by Darvel as James Henderson netted, while Hurlford United managed a 9-1 thrashing of Saltcoats Vics.