Of all the nine Scottish Junior Cup quarter-final ties played in the Tommy Sloan managed era, Saturday’s 2-0 defeat of Kilwinning Rangers must rank as one of Auchinleck Talbot’s least difficult.

Truth is this eagerly awaited all-Ayrshire was over as a contest inside 15 minutes.

By that time Talbot were 2-0 to the good through scores from brothers Graham and Stevie Wilson and the only surprise in the ensuing hour and a quarter of dominance was that the winning scoreline stayed as it did.

That can be attributed to some extent to Buffs goalkeeper Adam Strain who underpinned his side’s gutsy backs-to-the-wall display with a string of outstanding saves marked by a sensational double stop midway through the first half to keep out Bryan Young and Graham Wilson efforts.

However, even he had been helpless to prevent Auchinleck getting away to their dream start.

Visiting boss Chris Strain stressing the need for his playing charges to keep things tight in the opening exchanges must have fallen on deaf ears because visiting supporters were still making their way through the Beechwood Park turnstiles when Talbot snatched an early lead in very simplistic fashion.

Bryan Boylan’s foul on home full-back Willie Lyle near the touchline resulted in a free kick delivered by Gordon Pope and met by Graham Wilson getting in front of marker Stevie Swift, to glance a header into the net for 1-0.

Disappointed gaffer Strain admitted afterwards: “We had spoken about the threat posed by allowing Talbot to fire over dangerous crosses from the wide areas yet we’ve provided a perfect platform by conceding a free kick with just 40 seconds on the clock and they have made us pay.

“It was the worst possible start imaginable and we were at sixes and sevens over the opening spell and could easily have fallen further behind before we actually did.

“Our game plan was then up in the air and we were forced to change our shape and try to get ourselves back into contention but we lacked creativity in the forward areas and offered little in the way of a goal threat .

“Adam kept the score respectable with some decent saves and there can be no doubt the better team won on the day.

"But the frustrating part is being left with the feeling that we just didn’t do ourselves justice out there.”

Auchinleck’s overdue doubling of their advantage came in 15 minutes when Buffs full-back Tommy Maitland overran the ball in midfield allowing a steal by the younger Wilson whose quick exchange of passes with Bryan Young sent him racing clear on goal to deposit a low shot underneath Strain.

Kilwinning’s response was to substitute the less than fully fit Maitland with Joe Coleman whose determination and vigour improved their backline however the constant Talbot pressure almost brought a third goal when a close range Wilson effort (Graham this time) came back off the upright with Strain beaten.

Nearing half-time, a more settled Kilwinning enjoyed more attacking territory and came close to pulling a goal back at a corner kick melee when stopper Isaac Kerr swivelled to hook a shot inches of Talbot keeper Andy Leishman’s far post.

Another enforced change to their already rejigged line up saw Kerr limp off with a hamstring injury just ten minutes into the second half however their goal remained intact thanks to the combination of Strain’s saves and the home team’s wasteful finishing.

Winning gaffer Sloan made no secret of his delight with Auchinleck’s impressive display in saying: "The players were smarter in the manner we went about our business and showed a greater hunger than recent weeks so that has to be pleasing.

“Defensively, we were rock solid and never allowed Kilwinning to get in behind us while Bryan Young looked bright and pulled the strings for us in midfield .

“Our pressure could and should have resulted in a few more goals but I still felt Keir Milliken and Graham Wilson showed a willingness to put in great shifts for the team and Graham deserves a special pat on the back for playing so well for over an hour despite not feeling well before the match.”

Making up the semi-final line up along with 11 times trophy winners Talbot are their near neighbours Glenafton for whom Chris Dallas netted the only goal of the game against Sauchie Juniors.

Bonnyrigg Rose earned their place thanks to first half goals from Alan Horne and Wayne McIntosh securing a 2-0 victory over Rob Roy who had Willie Sawyers sent off for twin yellow card offences and Linlithgow Rose make up the last four standing following a crushing 7-0 defeat of Gartcairn through scores from Tommy Coyne (2), Robbie McNab, Barry Canning own goal, Kevin Kelbie, Lewis Small and Harvey Swann.

Elsewhere , Beith put themselves firmly into the running for the Super Premier Division title honours with a 4-1 victory away to Arthurlie through goals by Thomas Collins , Ross McPherson , Paul Frize and Mark McLaughlin with the Barrhead outfit’s response coming from Gary Smith.

Still leading the Super First Division pile are Kilsyth Rangers despite dropping two points at home to Petershill for whom Paul Murphy’s second half score cancelled out the home team’s 1-0 lead earned by Chris Reid.

Buzzbomb frontman Jay McKay bagged a hat trick in Rutherglen Glencairn’s 4-2 defeat of Shotts Bon Accord while the day’s biggest upset came down in Ayrshire where goals from David Adams, Trialist and Jamie Anderson (2) enabled struggling Irvine Vics to climb off bottom spot with a 4-1 derby triumph over promotion challenging neighbours Irvine Meadow.

WEEKEND RESULTS:

Scottish Junior Cup Sixth Round.

Linlithgow Rose 7 Gartcairn 0, Auchinleck Talbot 2 Kilwinning Rangers 0, Glenafton 1 Sauchie 0, Bonnyrigg Rose 2 Rob Roy 0.

McBookie.com Super Premier Division.

Arthurlie 1 Beith 4.

McBookie.com Super First Division.

Rutherglen Glencairn 4 Shotts Bon Accord 2, Kilsyth Rangers 1 Petershill 1, Irvine Vics 4 Irvine Meadow 1.

McBookie.com Central First Division. Lesmahagow 3 Forth Wanderers 4, Greenock 1 Johnstone Burgh 0, Larkhall Thistle 5 Vale of Clyde 0, Cambuslang Rangers 1 Wishaw 2, St Roch's 4 Thorniewood Utd 2, Rossvale 4 Neilston 2.

McBookie.com Central Second Division. Dunipace 0 East Kilbride Thistle 1, Carluke Rovers 4 St Anthony's 0.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League.

Darvel 6 Saltcoats Vics 0,Whitletts Vics 2 Ardrossan Winton Rovers 1.