IF there was an award going for the most improved player in Junior football this season then Auchinleck Talbot centre-back Mark Campbell would be firmly in the running.

Watching him win practically everything put into his area during Saturday's 4-1 Dyslexia Scotland Junior Cup last-eight triumph over Shettleston made it difficult to believe this was the same veteran defender who was looking past his sell-by-date when performing well short of his commanding best during the past two and a bit seasons with Irvine Meadow.

His subsequently dropping out of the picture at Medda Park saw Sparky confined to a mere spectator's role when his Irvine team-mates reached the Scottish last-four stage, but such is his emerging value and importance to Auchinleck this time out that a case can be put forward for him being one of the first names jotted down on Tommy Sloan's team sheet when this season's semi-finals come around.

Lauded the Talbot boss: "Mark was at his dominant best against Shettleston and it says everything when so little was seen of their big striking dangerman Scott Anson that he ended up substituted midway through the second half.

"That's what you call a backhanded compliment of sorts yet Mark's display on the day was no more or no less than what we've come to expect of him ever since he came on board during the summer months.

"He has been outstanding to the extent I've heard some people say he has reinvented himself but I believe his transformation is simply down to the fact Mark was born and bred in Auchinleck and enjoys playing in front of supporters he has known all his life.

"His ball-winning abilities provides a platform for the rest of the team and neither should it be forgotten how he has weighed in with a number of vital goals from set plays."

The 37-year-old stopper who played for no fewer than six Senior clubs, most notably Ayr United and Raith Rovers, comes across as a very down-to-earth type which is not a trait too commonly associated with footballers in the modern game.

Batting away the praise showered on him in the immediate aftermath of Saturday's clash, he insisted: "I'm just another cog in this Talbot team and if people think I'm playing well then it just means all the other guys are doing their jobs.

"We have arguably the most skilful strikeforce in the game in David Gormley, Keir Milliken and Graham Wilson, but they do not shy away from working their socks off to press and harass defences.

"And that same ethic is apparent in midfield where the energy of the younger lads was instrumental in forcing Shettleston into adopting a more direct style of play and their pumping the ball forward suited me fine albeit it's easy to be fully committed knowing Willie Lyle is tucked in behind ready to sweep up anything I miss."

Auchinleck are rated cup favourites and are strongly fancied to clinch a third successive Super Premier Division title and Mark reckons getting hold of any silverware would vindicate his decision to throw his lot in with Talbot.

He said: "Coming into the Junior ranks, I desperately wanted to win the big prizes with Irvine Meadow but it just wasn't meant to be and to then find myself surplus to requirements forced me into drawing a line in the sand and moving on.

"To land with this Auchinleck side has been a dream come true and I'm happy and content to be holding down a regular place.

"Nobody but nobody predicted Sparky playing such a key role in what may yet prove to be another triumphant Talbot campaign. He's surprised us all."

It must be a source of concern for Cup and League rivals of the Ayrshire cracks that top marksman Wilson, 27 goals to his name already this season, Steven White, Martin McGoldrick, Colin Spence and Bryan Young are set to be challenging for jerseys over the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Yoker striker Darren Jones is a definite non-starter for the Dyslexia Scotland Cup quarter-final clash with Linlithgow Rose.

He received a three-game ban for being sent off during a recent league game against Maybole who were also in opposition when Larkhall Thistle midfielder Mark Canning's pushing of whistler Chris McTiernan has resulted in the experienced ace being banned from all football until June 2017.