Seizing the opportunity is everything in football so Tommy Sloan must have woken up yesterday morning and wondered how on earth his Auchinleck Talbot side only managed a 1-1 draw in their Scottish Junior Cup clash with Pollok.

The Talbot boss had good cause to also reflect on the Ayrshiremen getting off with nothing more than early frights when Lok strikers Alan McKenzie and Davie Winters passed up glorious scoring chances inside the opening ten minutes.

But he was otherwise delighted with his players' performance, one that reinforced claims they are genuine contenders for an astonishing12th trophy win this season.

The visitors went on to exert a territorial dominance after those opening exchanges and Pollok’s experienced backline had to confront all manner of uncomfortable questions asked of them as Talbot, with midfield pair Stevie White and Bryan Young pulling the strings, probed and tested the home team’s defences.

Twin stopper duo Ross McCabe and Paul Gallagher’s appetite for a challenge was crucial during this period though they were grateful for their fragile moments remaining unpunished thanks to goalkeeper Jordan Longmuir conjuring up a string of saves to deny scoring efforts from Young, Mark Shankland (three times) and Graham Wilson.

The unrelenting pressure continued in the second half and the breakthrough arrived in 67 minutes after Shankland fired over a driven cross that was clinically swept home by an unmarked Wilson to leave Longmuir helpless.

Tucker said afterwards: "I thought a 1-0 lead was the very least we deserved at that point but we then made the mistake of sitting too deep and allowing a very good side like Pollok to have too much time and room on the ball.

“Their quality players were now the ones picking up all the ‘second balls’ around the pitch and they have equalised with a high ball into our box that Michael Daly has headed down allowing their midfielder Liam Rowan to score with a great finish.

“Conceding a goal with ten minutes to go is always disappointing but coming away from Newlandsfield with a draw is not the worst outcome and we can take encouragement from how we played out there today and look forward to the replay.”

The introduction of attacking substitutes Daly and Derek Hepburn undoubtedly acted to help Pollok seize a slice of the initiative over the closing exchanges. However, their efforts looked to have been in vain after referee Stewart Luke found himself at the centre of controversy through awarding a last-minute penalty kick to the Ayrshiremen.

Lok skipper Gallagher and towering Bot centre-back Danny Boyle’s wrestling match awaiting a free kick into the box ended with Boyle on the ground and Fife whistler Luke pointing to the spot despite the furious protests of the home team.

But there was another twist to the drama as Wilson spoiled an otherwise outstanding display by steering his shot high over the crossbar, much to his own frustration and that of gaffer Sloan.

Sloan said: “ For my money it was a stonewall award and I had shouted for it myself out on the touchline but it was still brave of the referee to give a last-minute penalty kick away from home in a Scottish Cup tie.

“Unfortunately, Graham's normal cool head has deserted him but I’d still back him in a similar situation.”

Not unsurprisingly, Pollok boss Tony McInally's interpretation of the late spot kick award was at odds with that of his dugout counterpart.

He said: "The game was too big for the referee and his awarding of a penalty kick just summed up his performance.

“All any manager looks for is the man in the middle to be consistent, but there were fouls given against us when Talbot were attacking that went unpunished at the other end of the pitch and it’s only natural for players to get frustrated.

“Gal and Boyle have come together but nothing more than that and the spot kick decision is even more galling when the linesman standing 12 yards away with a clear view of both players hasn’t seen anything wrong?”

Macca felt his Pollok players showed character and spirit to come from behind and force a rematch.

He added: "Auchinleck are a physically aggressive team and you have to be brave and stand up to them which we did today even though I felt we weren’t at the races first half..

“We had always reckoned on our substitutes making a telling influence and I’m pleased with both Mick and Del ‘s contributions in the closing half hour.”

In other Third Round ties , Benburb were 3-2 winners away to Maybole however Ashfield were on the wrong end of a 7-1 hammering by East Region kingpins Kelty Hears and Shettleston suffered a 5-2 Abbey Park beating at the hands of Kilwinning Rangers for whom Carlo Monti(2) , Bryan Boylan (2) and Ian Cashmore were on target.

Willie Wells and Scott Banks goals saw Maryhill beat Forth Wanderers 2-0 and Chrissy Hall bagged the only goal of the game as Petershill clinched a last 32 place at the expense of Carnoustie Panmure .

One of the day’s hard luck stories came at Keppoch Park where Glasgow Perthshire gave Super Premier leading lights a run for their money before going down 4-3 in a high scoring affair.

Craig Smith (2) and Davie Kirkwood countered for the Shire while Willie Sawyers, and a brace of goals from centreback Davie Barr had the teams locked at 3-3 until Kevin Green converted an 89th-minute spot kick to put the Rabs through.

Highest score of the day was notched up by Cup holders Beith in thrashing Islavale 9-0 and arguably the most dramatic 90 minutes came at Recreation Park where Darvel were reduced to 7 men against Irvine Meadow (down to ten) yet still managed a creditable 1-1 draw and a second bite at the cherry.

WEEKEND RESULTS: Scottish Junior Cup.Third Round.

Kilsyth Rangers 3 Lochgelly Albert0, Penicuik Athletic 2 Scone Thistle 0, Haddington Athletic 2 Neilston 1, Blackburn Utd 2 Girvan 5, Glasgow Perthshire 3 Rob Roy 4, Petershill 1 Carnoustie Panmure 0, Banks O’ Dee 0 Sauchie 5,Renfrew 1 Arniston Rangers 0, Dufftown 1 Dunbar Utd 2, Gartcairn 3 Whitburn 0, Maybole 2 Benburb 3,Maryhill 2 Forth 0,,Darvel 1 Irvine Meadow 1,Irvine Vics 1 Carluke Rovers 2, Larkhall Thistle 1 Fauldhouse Utd 2 , Kilwinning Rangers 5 Shettleston 2, Beith 9 Islavale 0, Kelty Hearts 7 Ashfield 1, Pollok 1 Auchinleck Talbot 1, Edinburgh Utd 2 Maud 1, Cumbernauld Utd 2 Tranent 1.

New Coin Holdings McBookie.com Super Premier Division.

Largs Thistle 2 Troon 1, Kilbirnie Ladeside 0 Cumnock 0.

McBookie.com Super First Division. Yoker Athletic 3 Rutherglen Glencairn 2, McBookie.com Central First Division Vale of Clyde 0 Cambuslang Rangers 4, Wishaw 2 Rossvale 0, St Roch's 6 Johnstone Burgh 1.

McBookie.com Central Second Division. Port Glasgow 2 St Anthony's 0. McBookie.com Ayrshire District League.

Ardrossan Winton Rovers 9 Lugar Boswell 0, Ardeer Thistle 1 Saltcoats Vics 2.