JOHN SWEENEY insists Pollok's recent 3-1 defeat of Hurlford United is not a one-off!

He and his Newlandsfield team-mates served up one of their best performances of the season and tore the form book asunder when overcoming the higher-league Ayrshiremen in a West of Scotland Cup-tie just three weeks ago.

Now, with confidence sky-high, Lok's midfield dynamo has his sights trained on bettering that achievement by dealing a knockout blow to the reigning Dyslexia Scotland Junior Cup holders when the teams lock horns at Blair Park today in their eagerly-awaited quarter-final showdown.

The 27-year-old said: "That West result raised a few eyebrows, but the truth is our gaffer, Tony McInally, went to great lengths to stress how to play against Hurlford and we carried out his game plan to perfection to earn a fully-merited victory.

"It was anything but the fluke result muted in some quarters, and I believe our dressing room is even more determined to succeed this time around.

"Admittedly, several degrees of difficulty have been added to our task from having to take on the cup holders in their own backyard, especially when you consider the Hurlford players will no doubt be hurting and looking to avenge their earlier defeat.

"But I cannot think why we should be running scared of the prospect because a similar battling display from each and every Pollok player could be good enough to win what is a massive game for both clubs.

"At the very least, I'd like to think we can take them back to Newlandsfield for another crack at each other. Every Pollok player was bitterly disappointed when last week's scheduled clash was postponed as we had hoped to bounce back from suffering a disappointing first home defeat of the season against Rutherglen Glencairn."

Southside whispers hinting at a couple of injury concerns in the Lok camp have been dismissed by Hurlford gaffer Darren Henderson, who believes counterpart McInally will make few, if any, changes to his starting line-up.

Hendo revealed: "Pollok did to us what we have been doing to other teams and fully deserved to beat us on the day, so I cannot envisage Tony tinkering with his team when they were so much in control.

"The big lad Jamie Darroch was outstanding at the heart of their defence, while the two frontmen David Winters and Alan McKenzie, supported by Kevin Bradley, posed us all sorts of problems.

"We had a lot of possession, but didn't do a lot with the ball where it counted and I just hope our West Cup elimination is the kick up the backside needed and that Pollok now get to see a different Hurlford.

"That turnover at the hands of Pollok has given us an insight into what can happen if my players are not on their game and hopefully they will respond to show the outcome was nothing more than a blip."

The straight-talking boss has owned up to selection problems of his own going into the crunch head-to-head, though only Gus Cochrane is rated a non-starter at this stage.

He added: "We had designs on Neil McGregor possibly doing us a turn, but he has been laid low with a bout of flu and must be considered a no-no after missing both our training sessions this week. The news is better on David McClune's hamstring pull, and the likelihood is he will be involved, although not necessarily from the start."

Yet another crucial confrontation goes ahead in Ayrshire today with District League front- runners Kilwinning Rangers preparing to host their only viable championship rival - second-placed Ardrossan Winton Rovers, who are sitting three points adrift from having played one game fewer.

And the possible title decider is proving a family affair with the Buffs led by Chris Strain Junior whose father - also Chris - will take up his stance in the visiting dugout determined to be a party pooper.

The seasoned boss explained: "There's a birthday celebration planned for our Chris tomorrow, and I don't want him to have any more cause to uncork the champagne.

"Kilwinning's superior goal difference would leave them all but home and dry if they come out on top, but if the result goes our way, then it really puts the pressure on their players given we have arguably an easy run-in.

"He's put my grandchildren up to asking me for three points as their dad's birthday present, but the only thing he'll get handed on a plate is birthday cake."

Top-rated marksman Ryan Caddis misses out for Winton through suspension, but Robbie Cochrane has appealed his ban and is available for selection.

Strain Senior added: "Ryan is a big miss, but we have Ian Cashmore and Jarred Willet to call on as well as a terrific prospect in 17-year-old Calvin Smith, who has a turn of pace and the eye for goal to be expected from being the grandson of Bobby Lennox."

Also set to figure for the visitors is midfielder Stevie Masterton, who is on loan from Hurlford United and looking to get game time.