AUCHINLECK boss Tommy Sloan has tagged tomorrow's Ardagh Glass League Cup final against Glenafton as a "recovery mission" for his shattered team.

The showdown at Portland Park in Troon comes in the wake of Talbot tumbling out of the William Hill Scottish Cup at the hands of Edinburgh City last weekend.

The 2-1 second-round defeat for the Ayrshire cracks ranks as one of the most painful in football for Tucker, and he could barely bring himself to talk about the reasons for it when looking back this week.

Some may have pointed to the controversial first-half expulsion of William Boyd or the fact injury restricted Mark Campbell and captain James Latta to places on the bench.

Work commitments had also ruled out Bryan Young, but the blunt-speaking gaffer was not prepared to use any of these factors to justify the loss.

He said: "We had selection problems, but there was more than enough quality on the pitch to cope. It is just making excuses to say otherwise.

"In spite of everything, we still enjoyed the lion's share of possession with 10 men, but we simply didn't do enough with the ball.

"And we made it even more difficult for ourselves by giving away two bad goals. Tomorrow's final has now become a massive game for us, but I'm confident that there will be a positive reaction from the players.

"However, Glenafton are an up-and-coming side who are getting better all the time and will be nobody's pushovers."

Incredibly, titans Talbot are looking to secure their fourth trophy in just six months.

In May they won the Super League Premier Division and New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup and, in June, they picked up the Evening Times League Champions Cup with a 7-1 thrashing of Neilston.

But they face more selection woes with full-back Gordon Pope classed as a definite non-starter for the final.

The inspirational Latta and experienced stopper Campbell are also still struggling.

Sloan added: "We will delay naming our team until closer to kick-off, but if we have to ask some guys to play out of position, then so be it."

Glenafton's manager Tommy Bryce owned up to a final headache of his own with former Harmony Row defender Chris Meikle rated extremely doubtful after he damaged ankle ligaments.

The one-time Partick Thistle player/manager admitted: "We are already minus our captain Craig Menzies, who only restarted light training this week after being out for two months with an ankle problem of his own.

"To lose young Chris would be a hammer blow as he has come on in leaps and bounds to form a great central pairing alongside Ryan McChesney.

"I was looking forward to seeing how they fared against whoever Tommy Sloan decides to select up front for Talbot.

"Graham Wilson has been scoring for fun. We know that he and David Gormley are technically brilliant and Keir Milliken's pace can stretch the best of defences. Our backline will be in for a testing afternoon regardless of who Tucker picks."

Among Bryce's managerial achievements in the Juniors is steering Kilbirnie Ladeside to an Ardagh Cup final triumph in 2009 when they recorded a 3-0 win over Cumnock.

He believes it is not beyond the realms of possibility his gallant Glens side can shock the favourites and hoist the trophy tomorrow.

EXPLAINING his reasons for optimism in the face of overwhelming odds, Bryce added: "We know only too well what Auchinleck are all about because they never change their style of play.

"Why should they when you look at the success enjoyed down through the years?

"That said, Talbot are not unbeatable. Though nobody rates our chances of coming out on top, I take great heart from how we played when we lost 2-1 to them in an Ardagh sectional game in August when we lost a couple of sloppy goals.

"It's also a major plus that we are going into the game with confidence sky high after last week's 6-0 win over Shotts Bon Accord

"Results had not been going our way of late and heads were down, but there's no better way to stop the rot than to record a clean sheet and score a lot of goals into the bargain. The close proximity of the sides and rivalry between them makes for a passionate contest.

"No doubt there will be a few tackles flying in and some heavy challenges, particularly in the early stages.

"My players will have to show themselves capable of handling anything that comes their way.

"The key will be to play with controlled aggression rather than let the heart rule the head and end up in bother with the match referee."

Reigning Super Premier Division champs Auchinleck could be knocked off the top of the league table this afternoon should Irvine Meadow avoid defeat at Kilbirnie or Petershill better their result in their home clash with Hurlford United.

Another intriguing clash takes place at Hannah Park, where Shotts host managerless Cumnock.

Former player Derek Love is looking after the team while club officials seek a replacement for Brian McLuckie.

It was believed the appointment of one-time Nock boss Mark Cameron was a formality, but the ex-Arthurlie coach has reportedly counted himself out of the running.

That leaves the former Cumnock player and current Wishaw gaffer John McKeown and ex-Irvine Meadow chief Chris Strain as the leading candidates for the post.

The other Super Premier games see Beith host Troon, and Arthurlie, in their first game under Craig McEwan, travel to Holm Park to take on bottom club Clydebank.

Kick-off for the Bankies' game is 1pm, while all other matches start at 2pm.