Do Glenafton and Rob Roy have what it takes to wrest the Super Premier Division title away from Auchinleck Talbot?

Tempting to say they do considering the current injury-ravaged state of the reigning champions.

James Latta, Dwayne Hyslop and Mark Shankland are rated non-starters on top of the major concerns hanging over the fitness of Stevie Wilson and Craig McCracken ahead of the Ayrshire cracks taking to the road tomorrow for a crunch Guys Meadow locking of horns with the table-topping Rabs.

Victory for the Kirkintilloch outfit will open up a six-point lead over Tommy Sloan’s side while at the same time inflicting a damaging psychological blow.

That result could be even more sorely felt if second-top Glenafton manage to come away with the spoils from their Loch Park contest against Hurlford United.

But four successive title triumphs are proof if it were needed that Talbot know how to win games when they are `not at their best` and only a brave man would bet against Willie Lyle & Co getting the job done to ensure it remains a three-horse race .

It would have been understandable had a touch of self-doubt crept into the minds of Auchinleck’s staunchest supporters in midweek when they ran out at Portland Park for their Ayrshire Cup second round tie with 52-year-old gaffer Tommy Sloan and his younger (by all of two years) No.2 Alan McLuckie listed on the visiting substitutes bench.

And there must have been a further drain in confidence when Troon were 3-2 ahead against a ten man Bot following the red card dismissal of Ross Harvey.

However, a sensational three goals in three minutes scoring burst from another substitute Graham Wilson turned the contest on its head and proved yet again that this Auchinleck side should never be written off …even with half a team posted missing.

By way of contrast Rabs gaffer Stewart Maxwell opting to omit several regulars for his side’s Central League Cup encounter at home to St Roch's backfired with a vengeance as Martin Shiels bagged the only goal of the game as the lower league Candy Rock ran out 1-0 winners to earn a last 16 tilt with Rutherglen Glencairn.

Bot boss Sloan said: "I’m no different to most other managers in looking try and to rest up players at this stage of the season but our lack of available bodies makes it a problem hence the reason why Alan and I were making up the numbers.

“The players did well to battle back in the manner they did but yet again the victory has come at a price with Martin McGoldrick walking off the pitch as a precautionary measure because his hamstring was tightening up.

“We managed to see the game out with a bit of a reshuffle and hopefully, but we want all our best players for facing Rob Roy so hopefully he can declare himself fit but I’d say his chances are no better than 50/50 right now.

“Stevie Wilson did a bit of light running ahead of the Troon game and could be an option for a jersey.

"However, it will be next week at best before McCracken will be ready to come back into the picture and his return might be timely as both Graham Wilson and Harvey are on the verge of starting two game bans .

“Thankfully they are both available tomorrow because we need to have a real go at Rob Roy and try to put ourselves back in the title running.”

Meanwhile, things are looking bleak for Talbot’s goalscoring midfielder Hyslop as word has it he is set to be ruled out of the forthcoming Scottish Junior Cup Final with Glenafton if the knee injury sustained in a recent league outing against the Glens is confirmed as cartilage damage.

Set to figure against the Ayrshiremen is their former centre-back Danny Boyle ,available for the crunch clash , after appealing his recent red carding against Pollok while key midfielder Shaun Fraser will be determined to turn in a top performance before commencing an automatic two-game suspension.

Back-to-back 1-0 defeats have undoubtedly acted to dent Rabs confidence but gaffer Maxi issued a rallying cry in saying “If we turn up with every player on top of their game then I fancy us to beat anyone …even Auchinleck “

Matters could be just as close to call in New Cumnock where Hurlford United , led by ex-Glens boss Darren Henderson and with a line up likely to include five former players ,will be going all out to finish a disappointing Super Premier Division campaign with only a seventh league win of the season.

The only other top flight game taking place has Arthurlie hosting the visit of a Kilwinning Rangers side needing a victory to keep alive hopes of avoiding a relegation fate.

PLAYING TOMORROW (Kick-offs 2pm): New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup, semi-final.

Pollok v Kilsyth Rangers.

McBookie.com Super Premier Division.

Arthurlie v Kilwinning Rangers, Glenafton v Hurlford Utd , Rob Roy v Auchinleck Talbot.

McBookie.com Super First Division.

Maryhill v Blantyre Vics, Clydebank v Girvan.

McBookie.com Central First Division.

Rossvale v Cambuslang Rangers, Thorniewood Utd v Forth Wanderers, Bellshill Athletic v Neilston, Wishaw v St Rochs, Lesmahagow v Larkhall Thistle.

McBookie.com Central Second Division.

Carluke Rovers v Dunipace, Ashfield v Royal Albert, Lanark Utd v Gartcairn,Glasgow Perthshire v East Kilbride Thistle.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League.

Dalry Thistle v Craigmark, Lugar Boswell v Annbank Utd, Maybole v Darvel.

Central League Cup.Third Round.

Shotts Bon Accord v Yoker Athletic. Ayrshire Cup, Second Round. Beith v Irvine Meadow, Irvine Vics v Cumnock