A shootout of OK Corral proportions is on the cards when Scottish Junior Cup winners Hurlford United and reigning West Region league champions Auchinleck Talbot lock horns at Blair Park today.

And a masterclass of penalty-box finishers is on the cards in the Super Premier Division game of the day.

Ross Robertson and Stewart Kean are the most likely to be handed the job of firing the home team's bullets, while Talbot gaffer Tommy Sloan has preferred the hitman talents of David Gormley and Graham Wilson over jet-paced striker Kier Millican.

The sharpshooting stats tend to endorse the belief that there is nothing like a bit of added competition to bring out the best in players.

Especially since Auchinleck have chalked up 46 goals from 11 outings to date in contrast to the 36 Hurlford have notched.

One-time Ayr United and Alloa striker Gormley said: "Graham and myself have been fortunate to be in the right place more often than not this season, but neither of us dare take our place for granted - not with Milly breathing down our necks.

"He's a marvellous striker who can also play in midfield and has staked his claim for a jersey coming off the bench in recent games.

"So it's a really pleasant problem for Tucker that right now has none of us daring to second guess how he's going to call it against Hurlford.

"He has a similar headache defensively because Martin McGoldrick's broken foot has mended, allowing him to return to the side last week against Buckie Rovers and the big guy played as if he'd never ever been away.

"But now Mark Campbell, whose own injury opened the door for Martin, has trained this week and declared himself fit.

" Having a full squad to choose from is a boost going into the game because there's no doubt Hurlford have designs on pinching away our league title."

A little over 11 miles separate the two Ayrshire villages, however it's not this proximity that ensures there are no team secrets between managers Sloan and Darren Henderson as their playing charges share the same Greenwood Academy training ground on a Thursday night.

Gormley added: "We train on one half of the pitch and the Hurlford players are on the other, so it's inevitable that a bit of banter breaks out between us.

"Kris Robertson and I had a few ding-dong battles during his time at Cumnock and he fancies his chances of putting our gas at a peep.

"Hurlford beat us 5-3 on our last visit to their place, but that was an end-of-season game when we had already won the title and there was nothing at stake. With the bit between our teeth, I'd like to think they will meet a different Talbot tomorrow."

In other top-flight contests, Petershill will be going all out for a third win on the spin when hosting Clydebank side with only one point to their name.

Peasy boss Willie Patterson could recall stopper Fraser Chisholm after being delighted with his side's defensive resolve in posting a 4-3 win against Glenafton last week.

He said: "The Glens enjoyed a lot of possession second half, but we remained organised and able to restrict them to very few efforts on goal. I fancy more of the same will be needed against the Bankies who always give us a game of it here."

Arthurlie are set to include newcomers Gavin Rushford and on-loan Albion Rovers striker Chris Dallas to build on last weekend's win against Troon when facing Shotts Bon Accord at Hannah Park.

Dallas, who previously enjoyed a stint with the Barrhead club is on board as a replacement for prolific hitman Richie Barr, who is taking time out of football to deal with personal issues.