When the smoke of battle had cleared, both managers agreed neither side deserved to lose in Saturday’s 2-2 draw between Pollok and Hurlford United.

And it was difficult to find fault with the considered reflections of Messrs Tony McInally and Darren Henderson in the wake of an always entertaining Newlandsfield 90 minutes that ebbed and flowed throughout.

That neither seasoned campaigner was quite as forthcoming when pressed for an opinion on the display of referee Chris Gentles says more about their desire to avoid falling foul of West Region beaks because there is no doubt the whistler made himself one of the game’s integral figures.

His inconsistent decisions acted to infuriate both sets of fans, not least of all the red carding of Lok midfielder Colin Williamson.

His introduction as an 82nd-minute substitute must be one for the record books given that he was leaving the pitch some 30 seconds later without so much as touching the ball.

His crime was a mistimed tackle that caught Hurlford full-back Adam Hodge and caused Mr Gentles to despatch him inside when a yellow card would have sufficed.

Lok gaffer Macca said: "Colin’s sending off left us under pressure, but thankfully the guys held out because we didn’t deserve to lose out there even if we probably didn’t deserve to win either .

“A draw was the right outcome and I have to be reasonably happy considering we are three points better off than at the same stage last season.

“My only concern is Colin’s sending-off which was a bit on the harsh side and could leave him suspended for two games.”

A much-changed Hurlford came out of the blocks better to boss the early exchanges, but Pollok grew into the game and took the lead in 34 minutes.

The deadlock was broken when Mark Sideserf netted from the penalty spot after Ayrshire stopper Chris Robertson’s tackle from behind downed David Winters inside the box.

This 1-0 lead was almost doubled when Winters sublimely dummied a low cross to leave Finlay Frye with a clear scoring opportunity.

However, goalkeeper Ally Brown saved the midfielder’s shot with his feet and Hurlford made the most of their escape by drawing level at the other end.

A ball forward had Pollok defenders claimed offside against Ryan Donnelly, however that was not an excuse for Chris Walker crashing into the back of the striker to bring the game’s second penalty kick award.

And it was netted with similar aplomb by Martin Brown for a 1-1 half time scoreline that came close to reading 2-1 for the visitors as Donnelly wastefully slashed a shot high over when left with only Lok goalkeeper Jordan Longmuir to beat.

Hurlford were again on top when the teams re-emerged after the interval, but Pollok came back at them again for Winters to untypically slash a shot high over when well placed to score.

With just over 20 minutes remaining, Hurlford took the lead with a peach of a goal as a surging move upfield saw substitute Darren Moffat play in overlapping full back Hodge who cut inside before flighting a left foot shot high into the far corner of the net beyond Longmuir’s reach .

The lead lasted all of two minutes before an untidy foul on Winters just outside the corner of Hurlford’s penalty box brought a free kick award that Kieron McAleenan superbly curled into the net to end the scoring if not the drama.

United boss Henderson admitted he was pleased to be going away with a share of the spoils

He said: “You won’t get any complaints from me as any other result would have been unfair .

“We’ve changed things about a bit in looking to the future and to have brought in seven new players yet find ourselves sitting with seven points from a possible nine at this stage of the season has to be very satisfying.

“The signs are good particularly as we have players to come back from suspension and injury who will make us stronger.”

Hurford’s falter allowed Rob Roy to seize the early season pacesetters mantle following a hard fought 2-1 Abbey Park victory against a Kilwinning Rangers side whose surviving an early penalty kick award against them …Adam Strain saved Lee Gallagher’s effort…looked likely to pay dividends when midfielder Rikky Hanvey netted the game’s opening goal.

Rabs defender Craig Buchan levelled matters before the break and in-form hitman Willie Sawyers snatched a second half winner to leave the Kirkintilloch outfit boasting a 100 per cent record from opening three league encounters.

Up into second top spot by virtue of a slightly better goal difference than Hurlford are Craig McEwan’s much improved Glenafton for whom David Gray, Ally Park and Chris Dallas were on target in a 3-0 win away to Kilbirnie Ladeside .

Strongly-fancied Troon also suffered a surprise loss at home when going down 3-2 against an Arthurlie side reduced to ten men by the dismissal of Gavin Rushford for reputedly hitting out at Ayrshire winger Dale Moore with the score poised at 2-1 for the Barrhead men following goals from Martin Curren and Darren Gribbon either side of a Chris McKnight penalty kick score for Troon.

McKnight then converting a second spot kick award in 88 minutes appeared to have sealed a share of the spoils however Lie player/coach Chris Mackie popped up with a last minute winner to send visiting supporters delirious.

The showdown of the Super Premier bottom markers went the way of Cumnock who put their first points on the board after goals from Sean McKenzie(2), Andy Muir and Paul Burns notched up a 4-0 victory at home to Largs Thistle.

Meanwhile, atop the Super First standings are Yoker Athletic in the wake of a thrilling 4-3 triumph over derby foes Clydebank.

Goals from Gary Bissland and Davie Crerand had Stevie Reilly’s side 2-0 to the good at half time however their advantage was halved by an Alan Vezza headed score shortly after the resumption.

Ryan Hynes (pen) restored Yoker’s two goal lead but they suffered a double blow when a goal from Bankies substitute Alan Frizzell was followed by the red carding of Bissland however the ten men crucially went 4-2 in front through Greg Maitland and held on for victory despite a late Clydebank rally sparked by a penalty kick conversion from Nikky Little.

It was honours even at Greenfield Park where Shettleston and Petershill played out a see-saw 2-2 draw with visiting striker Jason Hardie's first half counter Peasy negated by Town player/manager Peter Weatherson netting twice in three second half minutes to earn a 2-1 lead that was cancelled out by Peasy full back Chris Wilson.

Elsewhere, Beith’s blistering start to the season shows no sign of letting up following an emphatic 3-0 William Hill Scottish Cup replay win away to Auchinleck Talbot .

Quite how a game which was being openly tipped to need a penalty kick shoot out to separate the teams could turn out so one-sided is a mystery but there can be no question of the scoreline flattering the visiting Mighty for whom David McGowan , Darren Christie and Mark McLaughlin were on target.

Johnny Millar’s men were deserved winners on the day and the manner of their success only gives rise to the notion of Beith emerging as genuine challengers to Talbot’s supremacy in the Junior game.

WEEKEND RESULTS: Scottish Cup, Preliminary Round Two Replay: Auchinleck Talbot 0 Beith 3

McBookie.com Super Premier Division. Pollok 2 Hurlford Utd 2, Kilwinning Rangers 1 Rob Roy 2, Cumnock 4 Largs Thistle 0 , Kilbirnie Ladeside 0 Glenafton 3, Troon 2 Arthurlie 3.

McBookie.com Super First Division. Cumbernauld Utd 4 Irvine Vics 3, Clydebank 3 Yoker Athletic 4, Shettleston 2 Petershill 2, Irvine Meadow 1 Rutherglen Glencairn 1, Girvan 1 Blantyre Vics 0, Renfrew 1 Kilsyth Rangers 2.

McBookie.com Central First Division. Benburb 1 Thorniewood Utd 3, Forth Wanderers 2 Larkhall Thistle 3, Wishaw 1 Lesmahagow 0, Cambuslang Rangers 3 Bellshill Athletic 2, Vale of Clyde 0 Neilston 1, Johnstone Burgh 3 Greenock 2, Rossvale 0 St Roch's 2.

McBookie.com Central Second Division. Gartcairn 5 Lanark Utd 4, East Kilbride Thistle v Dunipace, Carluke Rovers 1 Ashfield 2 , Vale of Leven 1 St Anthony's 2, Glasgow Perthshire 0 Port Glasgow 3, Newmains Utd 0 Royal Albert 2.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League. Whitletts Vics 4 Dalry Thistle 1, Craigmark 0 Annbank Utd 6, Muirkirk 0 Lugar Boswell 1, Saltcoats Vics 0 Ardeer Thistle 3, Kello Rovers 4 Maybole 2, Ardrossan Winton Rovers 1 Darvel 1, Muirkirk v Dalry Thistle.