IN THE end, Jordan Longmuir didn’t need to say any words of apology for his goalkeeping gaffe during Pollok’s 2-2 draw with Beith on Saturday.

The 29-year-old more than redeemed himself in the eyes of home supporters with a string of truly outstanding saves to help earn his side a share of the spoils.

It would be naming but a few to mention how he broke the hearts of Mark McLaughlin, Darren Christie and Paul Frize with superb second-half stops before topping everything else with a wonderfully acrobatic one-handed tip over save to keep out a rocket Conner McGlinchey shot that looked destined for the net in the closing minutes of this Super Premier Division contest.

If the impression given is of Pollok being under siege then it’s probably a true reflection of how matters panned out following the intervention of fussy whistler Chris Graham, whose dismissals of Grant Evans (62 minutes) and Tam Hanlon (72), while the Ayrshiremen had McLaughlin given his marching orders in the 80th minute.

Longmuir said: "Beith’s first goal has gone right through me and it was a horrible mistake but coming so early in the game I had plenty of time and opportunity to make amends.

“Going down to nine men is always going to invite pressure, and more so when it’s two of our recognised defenders that have walked. But I felt the guys in front of me did a great job of defending our penalty box.

“They made sure Beith were mainly limited to long-range shots and thankfully I was able to make a few saves with my feet to keep out what attacks did get through on our goal."

The visitors started the better of the two sides and their early aggression paid dividends with a fourth-minute goal from striker Collins, whose pouncing on a loose ball inside the area to let loose a low shot that went through Longmuir’s legs left the goalkeeper red-faced.

Pollok then levelled after their first attacking response with David Winters putting the finishing seal on a neat interchange of passes by sublimely slotting the ball home from 12 yards out.

Beith went on to have the better of first half exchanges but the scoreline remained unchanged however only good fortune on their part ensured matters remained the same on the resumption after Robbie Winters cleverly made space for a shot at goal that beat visiting No.1 Stephen Grindley all ends up, only to come back off the upright .

A goal was only delayed as Pollok’s next surge forward resulted in a free-kick award just outside the box and dead ball expert Tam Hanlon curled a low shot into the far corner of the net for a 2-1 lead.

But the advantage was dramatically switched in Beith’s favour over the ensuing 10 minutes.

The somewhat harsh dismissal of Evans for a second yellow card offence was quickly followed by another opportunist strike from Collins earning Beith parity and the visitors now exerted a territorial advantage as they poured forward with their chances of picking up all three points receiving a further boost by Hanlon seeing red for a lunging tackle on Mighty midfielder Jamie Wilson.

Longmuir’s heroics and the lively Christie’s touch deserting him on three separate breaks through on goal ensured Pollok’s goal remained intact and Beith’s numerical advantage was then halved as a tackle from behind saw McLaughlin pick up his second yellow card of the afternoon.

The visitors continued to press forward but Pollok’s backline, inspired by Longmuir and aided by central defender Ross McCabe’s introduction off the bench, held firm to secure a 2-2 outcome.

Beith gaffer Johnny Millar was gutted his players had blown a great opportunity to boost their title hopes.

He said: "Their keeper has pulled off several top drawer saves but we have also passed up a number of clear cut chances to put the game to bed.

“It means yet another frustrating draw, our sixth from 14 league games and winning just half of them would have us sitting top of the table.”

Lok gaffer Tony McInally praised his players, saying: “I have to commend the fitness levels of the team and the spirit shown by digging in to fight their corner out there in the face of a number of key decisions going against them.”

Asked if his comments were a criticism of Referee Graham’s display, Macca added: “Not at all. My one and only gripe with the Referee is his red carding of Grant Evans for what was only the lad’s second foul of the afternoon yet the previously booked Mark McLaughlin didn’t even get a ticking-off when committing the foul that brought the free kick for our second goal.

“I can understand if he sends off both players or he sends off none but I cannot fathom why he has sent off one but not the other.”

The only other Super Premier Division encounter taking place saw reigning champions Auchinleck Talbot close to within a point of frontrunners Glenafton with a controversial 1-0 victory over fellow title challengers Rob Roy.

Graham Wilson’s suspiciously offside looking counter just before half time won the day for Talbot who were reduced to ten men by the second half red carding of Dwayne Hyslop.

WEEKEND RESULTS : McBookie.com Super Premier Division. Auchinleck Talbot 1 Rob Roy 0, Pollok 2 Beith 2.McBookie.com Super First Division. Blantyre Vics 2 Petershill 8, Rutherglen Glencairn 0 Shettleston 1,Cumbernauld Utd 3 Renfrew 2, Shotts Bon Accord 0 Clydebank 2.McBookie.com Central First Division.Lesmahagow 2 Thorniewood Utd 5, St Rochs 1 Larkhall Thistle 1, Cambuslang Rangers 4 Vale of Clyde 0, Rossvale 1 Wishaw 0, Forth Wanderers 0 Greenock 3. McBookie.com Central Second Division. Vale of Leven 1 East Kilbride Thistle 2, St Anthonys 1 Newmains Utd 2, Lanark Utd 0 Glasgow Perthshire 3, Gartcairn 2 Port Glasgow1.McBookie.com Ayrshire District League. Darvel 1 Ardeer Thistle 0. Central League Cup .First Round. Benburb 5 Ashfield 0 , Carluke Rovers 2 Bellshill Athletic 1, Neilston 1 Johnstone Burgh 2, Yoker Athletic 2 Kilsyth Rangers 1.Second Round.Annbank Utd 2 Maryhill 1, Royal Albert 0 Maybole 2. Ayrshire Cup.First Round.Cumnock 3 Largs Thistle 2,Girvan 4 Lugar Boswell 0, Glenafton 2 Kilbirnie Ladeside 1, Hurlford Utd 1 Kilwinning Rangers1(Kilwinning win pens), Irvine Meadow 6 Craigmark 1, Muirkirk 0 Whitletts Vics 7,Kello Rovers 0 Ardrossan Winton Rovers 2.