As away victories go, Auchinleck Talbot's 4-0 triumph over Irvine Meadow was as routine as any in the outstanding managerial reign of Tommy Sloan.

Yet it had been suggested in the build-up to this Scottish Junior Cup third-round clash that Tucker's men no longer had the spine, guile or hunger to be serious contenders for the game's top prizes.

Two defeats in the past five weeks and the loss of key players Craig Pettigrew and Steven White were offered as evidence of Bot's decline.

Auchinleck, though, made pre-match prophets of doom eat their words by demolishing the current Super Premier Division leaders with a display brimming with style, energy and relentless commitment.

The margin of their win did not flatter Talbot, even though the home side handed three of the four goals on a plate with defending that was the very definition of abject.

And how ironic it was that the man to exploit two of the home side's defensive lapses was Mark Campbell. The former Medda stopper netted the opener in 33 minutes with a back-post header from Bryan Young's free-kick, then nodded in the final goal after 86 minutes from a Young corner.

Afterwards, a beaming Campbell said: "It's always pleasing to win against a former club and even better when you can notch a couple of goals in the process.

"A few Medda supporters had barracked me going on to the pitch but, in fairness, they were gracious in defeat and lined up to applaud me off it.

"I appreciated the gesture, but this fabulous win was not just down to me. Every one of our players put in a shift to force Meadow to play into my hands by sending a procession of long, high balls upfield.

"Our dead-ball deliveries were terrific, too. One or two of my old team-mates had told me they'd worked on shutting me out at set-pieces.

"I fancy it might be back to the drawing board for them at training tonight!"

Talbot's other two goals were also a joy for visiting fans to savour.

Young's header to make it 2-0 before half-time came as he lay face down in the six-yard box after being floored making a challenge. Medda's failure to clear their lines allowed Keir Milliken to send in a low drive that the quick-thinking Young guided past Graham Shepherd with a turn of his head.

Auchinleck remained on the ascendancy after the interval and came close to extending their lead several times.

Dwayne Hyslop hit the bar with a rocket shot before Bot notched their third goal in the 71st minute.

Young was floored by a Mark Sideserf challenge and Graham Wilson slotted home the resultant penalty to seal Auchinleck's progress before Campbell's late flourish.

Beaten boss Stevie Rankin admitted: "We did not show any quality but what's more disappointing is that we didn't match Auchinleck in terms of passion and commitment.

"We got what we deserved from the game - nothing."

"Having said that, I believe this is as good a Talbot side as I've seen and they are still the team we all have to beat."

THE cup holders, Hurlford United, cruised into the last 32 despite an early scare at Shotts Bon Accord.

The home side led briefly courtesy of Peter McMahon's strike before doubles from both Ross Robertson and Paul McKenzie, plus single goals from Stewart Kean and Ross Chisholm, sealed a 6-1 win.

Shock of the day came at Guy's Meadow where Chris Duff and Scott Upton were on the mark for Rob Roy in their 2-1 defeat of Glenafton, last season's beaten finalists.

Bryan Boylan was the match-winner for Kilwinning Rangers in their 1-0 away win at Beith's Bellsdale Park.

Up on Tayside, a brace from Davie Kirkwood and a Davie Green counter gave Blantyre Vics a 3-1 victory at Lochee United, while John Sweeney netted a hat-trick in Pollok's 5-0 rout of Dundee Violet.

Ricky McIntosh scored from the penalty spot to give ten-man Shettleston a 1-0 home win over Neilston despite Rab Jenner's red card.

Doubles from Danny Burns and Chris Dallas were the highlight of Arthurlie's 6-2 defeat of Darvel, but biggest winners were Rossvale, who thrashed Lugar Boswell 7-0.