SCOTT ANSON and his Shettleston team-mates are not running scared ahead of today's visit to runaway Super First Division leaders Pollok.

Tony McInally's Newlandsfield side have established an 11-point lead over nearest challengers Town on the back of an impressive 14-game unbeaten record.

But the first-footers from across the city are enjoying a decent run of form themselves - they are unbeaten in over three months - and are in confident mood going into the top-of-the-table clash.

Bustling frontman Anson said: "All credit to Pollok for living up to their title favourites tag and sweeping all before them. There's no escaping the fact they will take some catching over the second half of the season.

"However, every player in our dressing room is up for that chase and we are delighted to have this opportunity to try and close the gap between the two teams by picking up all three points today.

"Just why the bookmakers are totally dismissing our chances is a bit puzzling because people have to remember Shettleston are the only team to have inflicted defeat on Pollok since the leagues got underway, and it's not beyond us to do the double over them.

"I was on holiday and missed the game at Greenfield Park but, by all accounts, our guys more than held our own even though it took two goals in the closing stages, including a Danny Boyle wonder goal in the final minute to record a 3-2 victory.

"No doubt that defeat will rankle with the Pollok guys, and they will be looking to even the score. However, we will not lack for motivation ourselves as a whole heap of our guys have never played at Newlandsfield before and they are looking forward to sampling the big-game atmosphere at one of the best arenas in the Junior game."

Anson, scorer of almost 30 goals in Shettleston's march to promotion last season, has had his Super First campaign disrupted by a 10-week injury lay-off, however his notching an impressive seven goals in seven outings earmarks him as his side's main attacking threat.

The 25-year-old added: " I think it's fair to say I am still finding my feet and hopefully there is better to come - today would be nice - but results show we are anything but a one-man team and the various partners I have played alongside - Kyle Robertson, Stuart Kelly and Chrissy McCormick - are all capable of finding the net in their own right.

"And, defensively, we have been sound thanks in no small way to Bryn Halliwell between the posts, who is a great talker and organiser of the guys in front of him.

"Staying solid at the back is a must, particularly with Pollok boasting two of the best frontmen around in Davie Winters and Alan McKenzie, but if we can put keep things tight, then don't rule us out from nipping a goal at the other end.

"Pollok have decent defenders in Paul Gallagher and, of course, Gary Wild, who was a team-mate in our younger days at Kilmarnock, but I'm looking forward to pitting my wits against them."

The postponement of last weekend's fixture against Cumbernauld United means Ross Dickson remains suspended, and he will be joined on the sidelines by injured midfielder Brian McEwan.

Towen gaffer Hugh Kelly admitted: "Not having Ross is a blow, and Con Boyle is also unavailable because of work commitments, but both Danny Boyle and Rab Jenner are available for selection.

"Whether we win, lose or draw, will not make or break our season - and the same clearly applies to Pollok - but coming away with three points would make things a lot more interesting at the top of the table."

Lok boss McInally, continuing to be linked with transfer-listed Petershill full-back Craig Palmer, reports Finlay Frye's return from holiday leaves him with a full selection hand.

He said: "I was disappointed to lose at Shettleston as I felt we should have seen the game out from our winning position, even though Hugh's team threw everything at us in the latter stages.

"A number of key personnel and positional changes have taken place since, and I cannot imagine the current group of Pollok players making the same mistake."

Elsewhere, fourth-top of the Super Premier standings, Beith, who this week reluctantly accepted a request from skipper and long-serving defender Marc McShane to be placed on the open-to-transfer list, make the short hop to face Troon for a game that may herald the return to playing action of striker Kenny McLean, who has trained at Bellsdale in recent weeks.