SCOTTISH JUNIOR CUP – Page 11 – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

Auchinleck Talbot v Kilwinning Rangers

Auchinleck Talbot 2 Kilwinning Rangers 0 (H-T 2-0)

Talbot started this quarter-final on fire, getting off to a flying start from which Kilwinning never really recovered.
Prior to kick off it was a rowdy element of the travelling support who’d made all the noise but they were momentarily silenced as Talbot took the lead within the 1st minute.
Lyle was fouled out on the touchline by Boylan & Pope whipped an in swinging free kick into the 6-yard area where GRAHAM WILSON glanced a header home.
The Bot might have doubled their lead in the 5th minute. G Wilson’s chip sent Young clean through on the left. He could have shot but opted instead to square the ball across for Milliken but he was challenged by Kerr as he went to stroke it home.
Talbot kept the pressure on & threatened the Buffs goal again in the 8th minute. Pope slid a free kick through to Young on the left edge of the penalty area. He flighted a cross into the centre which Hyslop headed for goal, but unluckily for him it deflected up off a defender & Strain tipped it over the bar.
The Buffs first chance came in the 10th minute when they won a corner on the left. McCloskey pulled the corner back to the edge of the area to find Swift in space & his low drive was heading on target until blocked in the 6-yard box.
Talbot’s 2nd goal arrived in the 17th minute & it was a fine solo effort. Young’s pass found STEVEN WILSON on the left wing; he still had a lot to do but carried it forward before cutting into the penalty area past Swift & coolly drilled a low shot past Strain to put Talbot 2-0 ahead.
Kilwinning now made a change with Coleman on for Maitland.
Leishman had been a bystander to this point but was called into action in the 23rd minute. A shy from the right found Hogg at the bye line & he turned the ball back into the path of McGuinness. He drilled a low shot on target that Leishman smothered at the 2nd attempt.
A 3rd goal would have killed the tie off & it very nearly arrived in the 24th minute. Milliken swung a cross over from the left that the Buffs central defence made a meal of. Two players went to clear & only succeeded in getting each other’s way & directing a weak clearance straight to Young 15 yards out. He arrowed the ball on target but was denied by a wonder save from Strain low to his right. The ball rebounded up to G Wilson who looked a certainty but Strain scrambled up to block his 1st effort & when it came back to him Wilson rattled a shot off the right post from point blank range.
The Buffs defence were all at sea & Talbot’ next attack saw Young get in behind down the left before firing the ball across the face of goal but unfortunately there were no Bot players to turn it home.
Having survived by the skin of their teeth the Buffs threatened to pull a goal back in the 38th minute. Pope conceded a free kick wide on the right which McGuinness slung towards the back post. Leishman climbed highest in a crowd of players to tip it over the bar. The resultant corner was cleared but Kilwinning kept up the pressure & when a deep cross came over from the left it found Hogg who cushioned a header back across goal. It came to Kerr with his back to goal & he wheeled round & fired a shot just past the right post.
Kilwinning finished the half on the front foot but without looking like threatening Leishman’s goal & the Bot went in 2-0 ahead at the interval.
The 2nd half was barely a minute old when Milliken picked up a caution for persistent fouling.
The Buffs defence looked susceptible at set pieces & they were nearly undone again in the 49th minute when Pope lifted a free kick into the area. Harvey climbed to head it for goal & Hyslop threw himself at it but could only direct his header wide of target.
Kilwinning made their 2nd change after 51 minutes with ex-Bot player Cashmore coming on for Hogg.
A minute later Frye received his customary caution for a foul as Talbot tried to break up field.
The Buffs were forced into a further change in the 54th minute when Kerr went down inside his own half & had to limp off to be replaced by Fleeting.
Tucker made his 1st change soon after with Shankland coming on for Graham Wilson.
Strain prevented Talbot extending their lead in the 64th minute. Milliken switched play out to the right to find Hyslop in space inside the area. His cross was a tad over hit but Milliken did well to retrieve it & whipped the ball over to the back post where Hyslop’s header looked to be heading into the roof of the net until Strain touched it over the bar.
Two minutes later Talbot had another good chance. Milliken pounced on a mistake inside the Buffs half & threaded the ball through to Young inside the area. He chose not to shoot & angled it across the face of goal toward Shankland who fired it into the side netting from a tight angle.
Talbot nearly added a 3rd in the 71st minute. Shankland lifted a corner to the far post where Harvey powered a header on target which Strain tipped over the crossbar.
Two minutes later Shankland’s ball sent Milliken racing free on the left. He surged into the area & fired a shot on goal that Strain blocked inside the near post.
Tucker now made a further change with Latta on in place of White.
Lyle picked up a caution in the 77th minute for a foul on Cashmore.
The closing stages saw Talbot comfortably see the game out with the Buffs unable to breach Talbot’s defence. Frustration got the better of Cashmore in injury time as he clipped Milliken late to receive a yellow card.
This was a thoroughly deserved win for Talbot who could easily have racked up a few more goals whilst never looking like conceding at the other end. Next up for Talbot is a crucial league clash as with Rob Roy as the Bot look to cut the gap at the top.

Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McGoldrick, White, Young, S Wilson, G Wilson, Milliken, Hyslop

Subs – Shankland, Pooler, Latta, Stevenson, McPherson

Kilwinning – Strain, Maitland, McCloskey, Kerr, Swift, Hanvey, Frye, McGuinness, Hogg, Lewis, Boylan

Subs – Fleeting, Cashmore, Coleman, Burns

Auchinleck Talbot v Luncarty

Talbot breezed past Luncarty to make it through to the last 8 of the Scottish cup; one of three Ayrshire sides in the quarter-finals.
Right from the off it was Talbot who dominated proceedings. The 1st effort at goal coming in the 3rd minute when Shankland laid the ball off for McCracken & he rocketed a powerful shot on target that flew straight at Bruce.
Soon after, the home defence were tested again when Pope fired a dangerous cross into the near post, with D Kelly clearing under pressure from G Wilson.
For all Talbot’s territorial dominance Luncarty were proving to be difficult to break down with eleven men behind the ball anytime Talbot ventured over the halfway line.
The 1st caution of the match came in the 19th minute when Talbot’s Harvey was penalised for a late tackle.
Talbot ought to have taken the lead in the 24th minute. Lyle released Young down the right & Hyslop met his cross inside the near post but glanced a free header wide of the far post.
The Bot’s next effort at goal came from Lyle. Young slipped the ball to him inside the area & he turned before firing a left foot shot straight at Bruce from 15 yards.
With half an hour gone a 2nd Talbot player found himself in the ref’s notebook when Shankland was cautioned for dissent & a few minutes later S Wilson added to the crime count when booked for a shirt tug.
Talbot won a free kick in a promising area when McCracken was up ended just outside the box. Shankland took the set piece but suffice to say it wasn’t his finest effort as he floated a tame effort over the wall that Bruce easily saved.
The opening goal came in the 35th minute. Shankland whipped a great ball over from the left that G Wilson fired on target, forcing a fine instinctive save from Bruce. The ball came back out to Wilson who laid it back to YOUNG & he slotted it away into the bottom corner.
Three minutes later Talbot came close to adding a second goal. Pope lifted a tremendous diagonal ball over the defence which Hyslop threw himself at but he just failed to connect.
The game continued to be one-way traffic but for all their possession Talbot couldn’t find a way through & went in at half-time with a slender 1-0 lead.
Talbot started the 2nd half strongly & threatened within a minute. Young held the ball up before finding Pope on the left & his 1st time ball into the centre broke off G Wilson & fell kindly for the keeper.
Luncarty hadn’t offered any threat but they did put together a nice move in the 50th minute, although it was let down by the final effort as McAllister ballooned his shot over the bar.
A minute later Dobie became the 1st Luncarty player cautioned when he was penalised for a body check on Hyslop.
It should’ve been game over in the 56th minute. G Wilson played a good ball out left to find Young in space. Shankland met his cross in the centre but managed to glance his header wide when it looked easier to hit the target.
Luncarty’s Reid now had his name taken for a late challenge on S Wilson.
The crucial 2nd goal arrived in the 58th minute. McCracken fed the ball through to G WILSON on the right side of the area & he drilled a low shot into the opposite corner to put Talbot 2-0 ahead.
Luncarty reacted to this with a double substitution with Walker & Whytock making way for Gray & McLaren.
Talbot came close again in the 62nd minute. Young touched a free kick off to the side for Pope to hit & his shot flew just over the bar from 30 yards.
Talbot’s 3rd goal arrived in the 65th minute & had more than a touch of fortune about it. McCracken fired a shot from the edge of the area that took a major deflection off WALKER before spinning in under the bar for an own goal.
With the tie safely won Tucker made a triple substitution after 74 mins with Young, Shankland & Steven Wilson being replaced by White, Stevenson & Pooler.
Bruce prevented Talbot from adding to their lead in the 78th minute. Pooler cut into the area & pulled the ball back for Wilson. He was challenged but the ball came out to Lyle & his effort was flying into the roof of the net til Bruce tipped it over the bar.
The final goal came in the 81st minute. Pooler flicked the ball into the path of Stevenson who sped through the centre before releasing it to his left to find G WILSON. He carried on into the box before drilling a low shot across the keeper to make it 4-0.
Luncarty’s keeper had picked up a knock & after a short delay was replaced Stewart.
Talbot twice came close to adding to their tally in the closing stages. Firstly, White hit a daisy cutter from 20 yards that flew just past the right post & then Stevenson latched onto a weak headed clearance before firing a shot just over the bar.
This was a comfortable win for Talbot who dominated from first to last to send the fans home happy. Next for Talbot is a sterner challenge as they head up to Bellsdale to face Beith in the league.

Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McGoldrick, McCracken, Young, Hyslop, G Wilson, Shankland, S Wilson

Subs – Stevenson, Pooler, White, Latta, Boyle

Luncarty – Bruce, D Kelly, Dobie, McAllister, Dolzanski, Gordon, Walker, Reid, Whytock, Doig, Montgomery

Subs – Stewart, Nicol, McLaren, G Kelly, Gray

Auchinleck Talbot’s mascot for the day, Leighton McBlain, stand’s proudly with both captains and the match official.

Talbot open the scoring, as ‘Butch’ finds a path through a congested Luncarty box and fires the ball into the back of the net. 1-0.

Luncarty ‘keeper, Duncan Bruce, lies down deflated after not being able to prevent Talbot from opening the scoring.

Graham Wilson races into the box and bears down on the ‘keeper and…

…smashes the ball home to put Talbot two ahead. 2-0.

From outside the box, McCracken’s strike takes a huge deflection, loops over everybody and dips into the back of the net. 3-0.

A celebratory smile from McCracken after his ‘wonder’ strike.

‘G’ races down the wing, enters the Luncarty box and…

…rounds off the scoring by slotting the ball into the back of the net. 4-0.

Shankland finds space in the box for a free header but fails to find the net.

And from this other angle, we see just what a good chance this was for Talbot.

‘Pee-wee’ manages to head the ball over the Luncarty ‘keeper but unfortunately, sends the ball wide of the far post.

Hyslop’s face shows just how close he came to scoring.

The orders get roared out by Duncan Bruce.

Ross Harvey looks on, as Stephen White stands his ground to try and retain possession.

McGoldrick wins this aerial battle for Talbot.

Graham Wilson tries to win back the ball from Luncarty.

‘Whitey’ goes on a beautiful ‘mazey’ run, as he skips past the Luncarty players.

Talbot captain, Wullie Lyle, races up the wing and gets an attack motoring.

As a healthy crowd watch the action unfold, Mark Shankland, fires a free-kick towards goal. Photographs by Paul Flynn.

Luncarty

Beith v Auchinleck Talbot

Talbot Penalty Goal — Always better late than never! With the game deep into injury time and surely heading for a replay, Talbot are awarded a penalty and with everybody holding their breath, up steps Steven Wilson who smashes home the late winner for Talbot. 0-1.

Talbot Penalty Goal Celeb — Steven, ‘Shankers’ and ‘Pee-Wee’ race away to celebrate Talbot’s late, late winner!

Talbot Goal Celeb — The players can’t help but go wild after Steven Wilson’s winning penalty!

Action 3 — Beith come very close to opening the scoring, as the ball whizzes inches past the crossbar, although, Andy makes sure he has it covered.

Action 13 — Although he loses balance but McCracken still manages to fire a shot at goal from the edge of the box.

Action 5 — Early in the second half, Hyslop fires a shot from long range but fails to hit the target.

Action 7 — With both teams still looking for the opening goal, Beith try to go for the spectacular but unfortunately for them, Andy Leishman pulls off a great save.

Action 6 — As Beith shout for off-side, Graham Wilson can only watch his shot go horribly wide.

Action 8 — ‘Butch’ gets free in the box but fires his shot high over the bar.

Action 4 — Milliken tries to win back possession for Talbot.

Action 12 — Lyle is put under pressure, as he tries to race up the park.

Action 11 — ‘G’ keeps his eyes firmly fixed on the ball, as he fends off this challenge.

Action 9 — The Black ‘n’ Gold army look on, as Shankland sends a pass up the wing.

Action 1 — Sheridan and Keir chase down the ball in a nice symmetrical manner!

Action 14 — The Talbot bench closely watch the action, as ‘Butch’ chases this lost cause.

Action 2 — McGoldrick slides in on Sheridan and clears the ball away.

Front Cover — Danny Boyle and Ross Harvey celebrate the victory to the welcoming sound of the final whistle.

Action 10 — The Talbot bench and fans go absolutely ‘nuts’, as they celebrate the dramatic victory over the Scottish Cup holders. Photographs by Paul Flynn.

Beith 0 Talbot 1 ( H-T 0-0)

Beith paid the penalty in this cup tie as Talbot edged them out in a match where two spot kicks proved crucial to the outcome.
It was the Bot who settled first & made the early running as they shot down the Bellsdale slope. Frize was fortunate to escape an early booking when he went right through Hyslop 30 yards from goal. Graham Wilson took the resultant free kick & got it up & over the wall but straight at Grindlay who made an easy save.
The home side came close in the 7th minute. Frize read Leishman’s long throw & intercepted it on the right wing. The ball was swung into the centre where McPherson ran onto it but his shot lacked fizz & was easily saved by Leishman.
A minute later Hyslop looped a header wide when he met McGoldrick’s free kick inside the penalty area.
It looked to be advantage Beith in the 11th minute. A ball into the heart of the penalty area was cleared but cannoned off a player at the edge of the area & fell kindly for McGlinchey inside the box. He went down under Lyle’s challenge & the ref pointed to the spot. Christie struck it on target but Leishman went the right way & dived low to his left to turn it wide.
Talbot threatened the Beith goal on the quarter hour mark. McCracken led a counter-attack down the left before finding Milliken. He cut the ball back into the area where Young met it sweetly & his low drive was goal bound until it was blocked off a defender. It came back out to Young who squared it across to Steven Wilson who lifted a shot over the bar from 18 yards.
Beith’s defence had to be at the top of their game in the 24th minute when Milliken gathered out on the right & whipped a tremendous cross into the centre. Graham Wilson went for it at the near post but was just beaten to the ball by a whisker by McLaughlin who headed clear.
Frize had a lucky escape soon after. Already on a yellow card he blatantly tripped Steven Wilson as he raced forward but the ref decided it wasn’t worth a 2nd caution.
The penalty apart, Beith hadn’t offered much of a threat but they did come close on the half hour mark. A Beith corner was headed clear by Boyle but came out to J Wilson who met it on the volley & sent a shot just over the bar.
MacDonald became the 2nd Beith player cautioned when he up-ended McCracken as he bore down on the Beith box, resulting in a free kick 20 yards out. G Wilson took it but his shot clipped the top of the wall.
In the 42nd minute Beith almost capitalised on a slice of luck inside the Talbot box. McGlinchey’s mishit shot broke into the path of McPherson 15 yards out but he hesitated for a fraction & was challenged as he hit it with the ball spinning high into the air where it was gathered by Leishman.
The referee again erred on the side of leniency a minute before the interval. MacDonald should have received a 2nd yellow card for his late challenge on Milliken but the ref kept his cards in his pocket & contented himself with awarding the free kick. McCracken fired in a low shot from 30 yards that was blocked clear & the sides went in goal less at the interval.
The opening spell of the 2nd half was evenly contested with both sides having half chances to take the lead. Firstly Milliken cut into the area from the right & fired on target but sent his shot straight at Grindlay then down the other end MacGowan met McGlinchey’s hanging cross but hit a tame shot at Leishman.
Beith made the game’s 1st change in the 58th minute when Burke came on in place of McMenamin.
Graham Wilson very nearly provided the breakthrough in the 61st minute. He jinked inside the box off the left wing before firing narrowly over the bar.
Milliken picked up a yellow card in the 64th min for dissent when Beith won a free kick out on the right. MacGowan curled an in swinger into the box which Milliken headed over the bar. When the corner came over McLaughlin ran onto it but steered his free header over the bar from 8 yards.
Beith made a double switch in the 67th minute with McLean on for McPherson & Watt replacing MacDonald.
Two minutes later Talbot had a chance to take the lead. Graham Wilson released Young in space on the left of the area. He might have gone for the shot but instead opted to square it across the face of goal & the defence were able to clear.
Talbot enjoyed a bit of good fortune in the 70th minute. Watt got free on the right & sped a dangerous low ball across the 6-yard area. Christie was lurking unmarked at the back post but the ball clipped off McGoldrick’s heel & out to Harvey who completed the clearance.
A few minutes later Leishman produced his 2nd crucial save of the afternoon. A corner from the right came over into a packed penalty box & McLaughlin met it to direct an overhead kick on target. It looked a goal all the way until Leishman threw out his right arm to turn it away.
Tucker made his 1st change in the 81st minute with Shankland coming on for the tiring Milliken.
Shankland was only on the pitch two minutes before being flattened by J Wilson who received a yellow card for his troubles.
With 5 minutes to go Tucker made his 2nd change with White replacing McCracken in midfield.
Young nearly won it for Talbot soon after. Boyle met a ball in from the left & headed it back across goal where Young’s volley flew just past the right upright with the keeper beaten.
Just when it looked as though the game was heading for a replay Talbot made the breakthrough. White gathered by the right touchline & slipped the ball up the wing. The Beith defence were looking for an offside flag that never came & G Wilson carried on into the area where he took it wide of the keeper who sent him crashing to the deck. The ref pointed to the spot but there was a lengthy delay before it could be taken to allow treatment for Grindlay. The delay didn’t faze STEVEN WILSON who coolly stepped up & slotted the penalty home.
Beith threw bodies forward as the game moved into injury time but it was too little, too late & the Bot defence stood firm to knock the holders out.
This was an impressive away win against tough opposition & hopefully Talbot can kick on from this & maintain a similar level of performance next Saturday when they visit Hurlford in the league.

Beith – Grindlay, MacDonald, McMenamin, McLaughlin, Sheridan, J Wilson, McGlinchey, Frize, McPherson, Christie, McGowan

Subs – McLean, Watt, Collins, Burke, Martin

Talbot – Leishman, Harvey, Lyle, McGoldrick, Boyle, McCracken, Hyslop, S Wilson, Milliken, G Wilson, Young

Subs – Shankland, White, Stevenson, McPherson, Pope

Auchinleck Talbot v Pollok

talbot-goal-1 — Shankland gets a grandstand view of McCracken’s opening goal for Talbot (which is more than what I did! Thanks Mark! ?) 1-0.

talbot-goal-1-celeb — Ross Harvey is all smiles, as he and the rest of the Talbot players congratulate McCracken for his opener.

talbot-goal-2 — With the second half barely a minute old, up pops Craig McCracken and heads the ball into the back of the net. Two for Craig and two for Talbot. 2-0.

talbot-goal-2-celeb — Joy all round for Talbot and the supporters, as everybody celebrates Craig’s goal.

talbot-goal-3 — McCracken races deep into the Pollok box and from a very tight angle, he some how manages to find a way past the defence and ‘keeper to slot the ball home. 3-0.

talbot-goal-3-celeb — Three for Talbot and three for the hat-trick hero……Black and gold euphoria!

talbot-goal-4 — Gordon Pope rounds off the scoring by racing onto a loose ball in the box and fires it into the back of the net. 4-0.

talbot-goal-4-celeb — Pope wheels away in delight after scoring, as Pollok are left to ponder what might have been.

front-cover-2 — Danny Boyle looks on, as Stephen White gets the players ready.

front-cover-3 — It’s fingers crossed for Gordon, as he hopes this pass hits the target.

Pollok v Auchinleck Talbot

Annbank United v Auchinleck Talbot

talbot-goal-2-2 — ……somehow the ball finds a way into the back of the net and earns Talbot the victory right at the death. 1-2.

It’s been an up & down season for Talbot so far & this game was no exception. A dominant 1st half matched by a lacklustre 2nd with the Bot fans relieved at the final whistle not to be facing a replay.
The 1st incident of note came in the 5th minute when C Fisher had his name taken for a late tackle on McCracken.
A minute later the home side had a half chance when McCowan sent the ball across the area to Paterson but he failed to test Leishman.
Talbot’s first real attack came in the 8th minute. Graham Wilson got the better of Ballantyne out on the right & burst into the area before squaring it across for his brother Steven who side-footed it straight at Fisher from 12 yards.
A minute later Talbot nearly took the lead. Shankland’s shy found Milliken on the left of the area & he pulled it back for Graham Wilson to stride onto but he drilled his shot wide of the right post.
The same two players combined a few minutes later down the other wing when Milliken laid the ball inside to G Wilson who fired on target but straight at the keeper.
How Talbot didn’t take the lead in the 15th minute is a bit of a mystery. Annbank conceded a free kick wide on the left which Pope delivered to the back post. Boyle climbed & headed it back down across goal but neither G Wilson nor Shankland could force it home & Fisher managed to smother it.
Talbot’s incessant pressure finally told in the 21st minute. Pope created it, breaking down the left before angling the ball back to SHANKLAND who steered it inside the right post.
C Fisher came to the home side’s rescue a few minutes later. Graham Wilson lifted a quality cross over from the right that was heading straight onto Steven Wilson’s head at the far post but Fisher did well to intercept it & head behind. Shankland’s corner wasn’t his best effort but Annbank’s defence fluffed their clearance & knocked it straight back out to him on the left. This time he had a better angle & his cross come shot from curled just wide of the far post.
Graham Wilson spurned a clear chance to put Talbot two ahead in the 26th minute. Shankland met Pope’s diagonal ball & cushioned it across the area for Wilson. He looked certain to score but drilled his low shot inches wide of the post from the penalty spot.
Talbot had another good chance on the half hour mark. White threaded a ball through the centre to find Milliken racing clear. He went for the early shot but Fisher dived to his right to make the stop.
Harvey had his name taken in the 34th minute for a late challenge.
The remainder of the half saw Talbot pushing for a 2nd goal but Annbank successfully defending their penalty area. In the last minute of the half Talbot had a chance to double their lead when they won a free kick out on the left after Ballantyne bundled over Graham Wilson. Shankland curled the ball across the 6-yard area & Boyle flicked the ball to the back post. His header looked to be heading in on its own but G Wilson prodded it home from close range & the goal was rightly disallowed for offside.
Although a one goal lead is always precarious there had been nothing in the 1st half to suggest Bot fans had any cause for concern & the start of the 2nd did little to change this point of view as Talbot again made all the running.
However, despite dominating the ball Talbot weren’t making much headway in the final third and all they had to show for it was a half chance in the 53rd minute when a ball over the defence found Milliken on the left of the area but his low drive was comfortably saved by Fisher.
The game turned on its head in the 59th minute. Pope slid in late in the tackle, receiving a yellow card, and conceding a free kick on the right, just outside the box. Before the free kick Annbank made a double switch replacing their front two of Paterson & S Granger with Martin & McLean. McCowan took the set piece & delivered it to the far post. Leishman came for it but couldn’t claim it & Fisher headed it back across goal for C GRANGER to tuck inside the right post to make it 1-1.
A minute later Talbot were on the attack, looking to regain the lead as Milliken burst clear down the left. He made the bye line & whipped a great ball across the face of goal but with no support in the centre it went to waste.
Tucker now made a double substitution with Young & Hyslop coming on for Shankland & Steven Wilson.
Talbot pushed forward & pressed Annbank back but had little to show for it. In the 65th minute Granger was cautioned for a late challenge on Wilson & when the cross came over Hyslop headed it wide at the back post. Two minutes later Ballantyne received a yellow card for disputing a corner & when Young’s corner came in Boyle got his head on it but put it straight at Fisher.
Milliken then had a chance when Young hared into the area & laid it back to him but Fisher got down to save his shot.
The longer the game went the more nervous Talbot grew & Annbank won a free kick in a dangerous area in the 71st minute when McCowan went over on the left outside the box. Hilton opted for goal & fired it across goal and over the bar.
The Bankies nearly produced a coupon buster in the 76th minute. McCowan skipped past a couple of weak challenges inside the area to get free down the left & drilled a low shot across the area. Hilton looked set to turn it home inside the 6-yard area at the far post but Pope made a vital tackle to deflect it up & over the bar.
The closing stages were a nervy affair with Talbot pushing all out to grab a late winner leaving themselves open to a potential counter.
Two minutes from the end Talbot looked to have won it. Milliken cut back onto his favoured left foot & whipped a tremendous cross over from the right. Young looked set for the tap in as he ran in at the far post but somehow he failed to connect & it went for the goal kick.
Just when it seemed as though the game was destined for a replay Talbot produced a winner in the last seconds of regulation time. MCCRACKEN got his head to Hyslop’s cross from the right & it somehow eluded the Bankies keeper to trundle inside the left post in slow motion.
A poor performance from the Bot but when all’s said & done Talbot’s name is in the hat for the next round of the Scottish.

Annbank Utd – M Fisher, Sloan, Hainey, Ballantyne, C Granger, C Fisher, Hilton, Faulds, Paterson, S Granger, McCowan
Subs – Martin, Wilson, Baird, McLean, Tait

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, Boyle, McCracken, S Wilson, White, Milliken, G Wilson, Shankland
Subs – Hyslop, Stevenson, Young, Pooler, Thomson