BEING close but not close enough in one of the most compelling Super Premier Division campaigns for many a moon brings an abiding sense of disappointment to Pollok manager Tony McInally.

His sometimes exciting (let’s not forget they are the top flight’s leading scorers) but more often than not fragile Lok side are down in seventh place in the standings with no expectations about figuring in the title race, however Macca refuses to dub his playing charges as also-rans.

“We might not be champions in the making but we can certainly have a say in who finishes in top spot,” said the team boss while taking time out from preparations for hosting the visit of fourth top Beith this coming Saturday.

“There’s a quite definite mini-league emerging of four teams, Glenafton, Rob Roy, Auchinleck Talbot and Beith who have all to play each other and it’s only realistic to think the outcomes of those head-to-heads will prove decisive come the end of season.

“But you can also bet on there being several other twists and turns over the run-in with points dropped against other Super Premier sides and my players will certainly not be holding back in our home games against Beith and Rob Roy.

“We owe it to ourselves and not least of all Pollok’s supporters to try and finish as high up the table as possible and that translates into looking to pick up full points from our remaining five fixtures.

“Glenafton are the only team to have beaten us at Newlandsfield and our aim is for this decent home record to continue.”

Pollok cannot be accused of taking things lightly after taking part in a hastily arranged friendly match against Renfrew last weekend (won 2-1 with goals from Del Hepburn and David Winters) following the postponement of their scheduled Blair Park clash with Hurlford United.

The Lok gaffer added: “We’ve been harder hit than most by games being called off and have only played once in four weeks so the chance to get a run out on New Western Park’s astro-grass was too good to turn down even though it turned into a scramble to get there for a 12 noon kick-off just three hours after Hurlford’s pitch was declared unplayable.

“It was great for every player to get at least an hour’s game time and the early start allowed me to get through to Barrhead and update myself on Beith’s current form in their 4-1 victory over Arthurlie.

“They ran out deserved winners helped by Arthurlie going down to 10 men and I came away impressed by their second half substitutes Joe Bradley and Callum Watt who undoubtedly turned the game in their team’s favour and I wouldn’t be surprised if they had earned a pair of starting jerseys at Newlandsfield.”

Word on the team front is that striker Michael Daly misses out for Pollok through suspension while the visitors have concerns over highly-rated striking pair Kenny McLean and Darren Christie.

Beith manager Johnny Millar revealed: “Darren picked up a head injury at Dunterlie that required stitching and he was unable to train on Monday night so I would rate him as very doubtful at this stage.

“And the same goes for Kenny who has been bothered by a knee ligament problem for the past four weeks and we won’t make any decision on his fitness until we arrive at Newlandsfield.”

Last weekend’s triumph moved Beith into a threatening position fully six points adrift of leaders Glenafton from the same amount of games played.

Millar continued: “I would reckon Beith are fourth favourites out of the top four teams at this stage but I’m pleased to be in the running after being left with a lot of ground to make up.

“Pollok at Newlandsfield is always a tough test but taking something from the game and also from our derby contest away to Kilbirnie Ladeside next week will leave us with everything to play for as six of our last seven league games are to be played at Bellsdale.”