It’s rare that you see a good game on Cumbernauld’s surface and yesterday proved no exception with the game being a battle from beginning to end with Talbot emerging 3-0 winners.

The first half chance went the way of the Rabs in the 7th minute. Baber’s diagonal ball found M Smith on the left of the penalty area and his ball back across was cleared.

Talbot then went down the other end to take the lead. McPherson played it into the feet of KYLE MCAVOY who turned his marker before slotting a low shot on target that Aitken should probably have saved but he didn’t get enough on it and it slipped inside the right post.

In the 11th min Rob Roy won a free kick out on the right just wide of the penalty area. Gilday hit an in swinger into the near post which Glavin punched clear. It came out to Baber whose shot from the edge of the area took a couple of deflections before running through harmlessly to Glavin.

Glavin was called into action in the 19th minute when Baber’s low ball in from the right was met by Anderson who volleyed it on target only for Glavin to tip it over the bar.

In the 25th min Talbot won a free kick just outside the Rabs penalty area when Boyd was obstructed. Glasgow took it and very nearly doubled Talbot’s lead as his effort beat the keeper but cannoned off the crossbar.

Glasgow came close again in the 38th minute. Boyd cushioned a header down into his path and Glasgow strode onto it before steering a shot just wide of the right hand post.

In the final minute of the half Anderson hit a decent effort from 30 yards but it was always heading over and Talbot went in a goal to the good.

The first chance of the 2nd half went Talbot’s way when Walker nearly put it in his own net. He diverted Glasgow’s low cross toward his own net forcing Aitken to scramble it round the left post to avoid an own goal.

In the 56th minute Glasgow conceded a free kick out wide on the right for a foul on Baber and was cautioned into the bargain. Gilday whipped it into the near post where Glavin could only push it away under pressure. It fell kindly for Anderson who managed to volley it over from 8 yards when it looked easier to score.

Talbot made their first changes of the afternoon after 65 mins with Glasgow & Langan making way for Thomson & Armstrong.

With 20 mins to go C Smith flighted in a good cross from the left that saw a Rabs player steer a header on target that Glavin had to turn round his left post.

In the 77th minute Thomson was caught in possession down in the left-back area by C Smith who played it low across the area but the defence closed them down in the centre and the final shot was deflected behind for a corner.

Ten minutes from time Talbot made a further change with Smith coming on for Boyd.

In the 83rd minute Talbot got the 2nd goal needed to make the game safe. Smith’s through ball was chased down by Gillies who managed to force a corner down the left. When Thomson’s corner came over it was headed clear but only as far as Armstrong who headed it back into the mix where LUKE GILLIES reacted fastest to direct a left foot shot inside the left post.

As the game entered the closing stages Tucker made another double change with Wardrope & Urquhart replacing Boyle and Gillies.

Deep into added time Talbot added their third. A corner from the left went over to the back post where KYLE MCAVOY climbed to head it home from close range.

Talbot didn’t quite hit the form of late but did enough to secure the win. Next up Talbot are back at Beechwood for a derby day meeting with an in-form Cumnock which should attract a bumper crowd.

Kirkintilloch Rob Roy – Aitken, Walker, Gilday, Henry, Anderson, Kettings, Baber, Stirling, Ruxton, M Smith, C Smith

Auchinleck Talbot – Glavin, McPherson, Schoneville, Slooves, Wilson, Langan, Boyle, Gillies, Boyd, McAvoy, Glasgow

Subs – Smith, Thomson, Urquhart, Wardrope, Armstrong, Abed, Henry