BLANTYRE VICS cemented their status as a Central First Division title contender with a 3-2 defeat of Carluke Rovers last night.

Goals from the outstanding David Galt and midfield stalwart David Green gave the Vics a dream start which was built upon before half-time by a Mark Thomson free-kick special from all of 25 yards to give them a 3-0 advantage.

That was the least David Greig's charges deserved for their opening 45 minutes, but the interval acted to break their momentum and they were rocked as Carluke came roaring back with a stunning Dean Kindlan volley and a Mark Weir penalty.

Vics boss Greggy admitted: "A bit Jekyll and Hyde, if truth be told, but our opening spell was absolutely magnificent and I felt the displays of Galty, Thommo and Ryan McGarry - playing his first game in a month - were truly inspirational.

"And a special pat on the back is merited for young full-back Graham Watson, who was making his debut and turned in a solid performance.

"He was a promising youngster on the books at Rangers, but lost his way after being released by Paul Le Guen, but his performance shows he has turned the corner and has the makings of a top-class Junior."

Disappointed Rovers gaffer Colin Slater said: "Their start caught us on the back foot and we toiled to keep pace with Vics early doors, but what a transformation in the second half.

"Our players could quite easily have succumbed to a heavy beating, but instead they showed real character in battling their way back into the game and giving Blantyre a run for their money."

The Castle Park affair was one of the many scheduled fixtures that only went ahead after passing afternoon pitch inspections, however the waterlogged conditions put paid to the Vale of Clyde v Clydebank, Yoker v Rob Roy and Renfrew v Greenock contests which will now be re-arranged.

Super First Division front-runners Pollok took full advantage of the second-placed Rabs sitting idle to stretch their lead atop the standings to eight points, albeit through an anything but emphatic 5-3 Newlandsfield victory over bottom markers Thorniewood United.

Leading marksman Davie Winters netting twice in the opening half hour led to a Pollok side oozing with confidence going on to seemingly put the game out of sight before the halfway mark with further counters from Kevin Bradley and Findlay Frye.

But a penalty-kick award for Thorniewood early in the second half - converted by Chris Lennon - breathed new life into Andy Frame's men and they hit Pollok with two goals in seven minutes through Lennon and Daly McSorley.

The home team were understandably edgy at this stage, but an 86th-minute score from substitute Alan McKenzie acted to settle nerves and they saw the game out to pick up the spoils.

Shettleston moved up to fourth-top spot following a 2-1 win over Kilsyth Rangers where speedy frontman Calum McRobbie is getting the credit for both goals even though his second was a cross-cum-shot, deflected in by a Kilsyth defender.

In the top flight, reigning champions Auchinleck Talbot were held to 1-1 draw at home by Arthurlie, a result which was warmly greeted by their only viable title challenger, Hurlford United, who made up two points on the Bot thanks to Ryan Donnelly netting the only goal of the game against Irvine Meadow.

RESULTS

Stagecoach Super Premier Division: Hurlford Utd 1 Irvine Meadow 0, Auchinleck Talbot 1 Arthurlie 1.

Super First Division: Shettleston 2 Kilsyth Rangers 1, Pollok 5 Thorniewood Utd 3.

Central First Division: Blantyre Vics 3 Carluke Rovers 0, Benburb 6 Ashfield 2.

Euroscot Eng Cup second round: Maryhill 1 Bellshill Athletic 1 (Maryhill won 3-2 on pens).

Ayrshire Cup first round: Beith 7 Dalry Thistle 0, Troon 5 Ardeer Thistle 1, Irvine Vics 2 Ardrossan Winton Rovers 2.