IF proof were needed that the days of Auchinleck Talbot's dominance of the Scottish Junior Cup are far from over, they provided it with the manner of last weekend's 3-1 semi-final first leg win over Hurlford United.

Darren Henderson's side have emerged as a real force in the game on the back of winning the coveted silverware for the only time in their history last season.

Yet they were simply swept aside as Talbot served up a typical aggressive performance to underline just how strong and intimidating an opponent they can be on these cup occasions.

And the very basis of last week's winning display only adds to the conviction that the Ayrshire kingpins will complete their penultimate conquest tomorrow and clinch an anything but unlucky 13th cup final appearance - 12 of them during an astonishing run of success dating from 1986 - against whoever comes out on top in this season's other last four clash between Musselburgh Athletic and Linlithgow Rose.

Striking ace David Gormley, on the scoresheet in last week's first game, points to a quiet confidence in the Beechwood Park dressing room that Talbot have it in them to negotiate this final hurdle.

He said: "People have said we are in the driving seat, but none of the players share that mindset as we believe the tie is anything but over.

"The gaffer Tommy Sloan has been stressing the message that Hurlford are a top side, packed with experienced players who have nothing to lose in having a real go at us and we have to try and get to grips with them from the first whistle.

"Last week saw Mark Campbell and Martin McGoldrick dovetail perfectly to curb the not inconsiderable threat of Hurlford's very dangerous front pairing of Ross Robertson and Stewart Keane.

"But they now have to serve up a repeat performance just as each and everyone of us has to go out and win our one-to-one battles all over again.

"That won't be easy given the high standards we have set ourselves with last week's display, but the players are in a positive frame of mind going into the tie.

"Scoring the first goal could prove decisive in how the 90 minutes is played out not least because our notching it would take the fire out of Hurlford's bellies so a high tempo start is a must.

Gormley, scorer of the winning goal when Talbot last lifted the Cup in 2013 with a 1-0 triumph over Linlithgow, is tipped to partner Kier Milliken in a two-pronged Talbot attack, however he refuses to consider himself a selection certainty.

He added: "Milky and I got our scoring rewards at Blair Park, but nobody at Auchinleck can ever take their place in the team for granted and we will just need to wait until just before kick-off time to see whether we get the nod to start.

"It was a surprise to many of us when young Mark Shankland was left out of our starting line- up as he has been playing out of his skin in recent weeks so you simply cannot discount the possibility of Tucker deciding to reinstate him this time around.

" But whoever gets the nod will need to be prepared to work their socks off as the Hurlford defenders are tight marking and give very little away.

"And they could be about to get a whole lot stronger if big Chris Robertson is passed fit."

Auchinleck's hopes of holding onto New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup crown were considerably boosted by them landing a home tie against Ayrshire District League outfit Ardrossan Winton Rovers in the third-round draw made earlier this week.

The only all-Super Premier clash sees Irvine Meadow hosting the visit of Shotts Bon Accord while leading Super First Division title challengers Pollok and Shettleston will cross swords at Greenfield Park.