Title race is going down to wire for the ‘Bot
Auchinleck playing catch-up
Auchinleck are playing a chasing game with only four games to go as they try to pip Darvel for the West Premier title.
They entertain Rossvale tonight (Wednesday) while Darvel, who are now a point ahead, welcome Troon to Recreation Park.
Tommy Sloan’s men, who are at home to Sauchie on Saturday in the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup, finish against Rob Roy (h), Glenafton (a) and Cumbernauld (a).
Darvel close against Blantyre (a), Kilwinning (h) and Irvine Meadow (a) knowing the title is theirs with four wins.
A Mark Shankland penalty with five minutes to go rescued Auchinleck a 1-1 draw at Hurlford last Wednesday after Kris Kerr fired the hosts ahead.
On Saturday, Talbot were twice in front at Benburb through Bryan Boylan and Kieran Healy but despite Bens going down to 10 men leaked a late equaliser which could prove costly.
Darvel followed a 2-1 win over Rob Roy to beat Hurlford 2-0 with goals from Cammy Eadie and Lewis Morrison. Ian McShane had a penalty saved while ‘Ford saw Chris Robertson sent off.
TROON are celebrating Premier football next season after beating Cumbernauld with a goal from Ben Black.
They host Pollok at Portland Park on Saturday as they look to continue their hot form.
CUMNOCK head to Beith who axed boss Bryan Young after an 8-1 midweek thrashing by Largs.
‘Nock moved up to seventh with a 4-0 win over Blantyre on Monday evening thanks to strikes from Ryan Carnwath, Jordan Moore, Finlay Frye and an OG.
GLENAFTON entertain Kilwinning in the Kilmarnock Pie Cup after continuing their excellent league form with a 2-0 win over Clydebank through goals from Leon Murphy and Sam McKee.
Buffs have announced former Ayr, Auchinleck and Glenafton star David Gormley will become manager at the end of the season.
CRAIGMARK require a helping hand from MUIRKIRK to clinch promotion to the First Division.
The Dalmellington men need ‘Kirk to beat Johnstone Burgh to pip the Keanie Park side for the final place.
‘Mark, who head to Cambuslang in the Kilmarnock Pie Cup, finished their league campaign with a 4-2 win over Forth who had two sent off.
MUIRKIRK sealed promotion to the Second Division with a 5-0 win over Bellshill thanks to a Jamie Gray hat-trick and goals from Gavin Hay and Darren Payton.
MAYBOLE have brought back old favourite Chris Flanagan who will work alongside Stuart Peacock as first team coaches under manager Carlo Walker next season.
Walker revealed: “Chris is very popular with the players and I am delighted that he is returning.”
‘Bole’s flickering promotion flame was blown out last Wednesday in a 3-2 defeat by Arthurlie who clinched the Conference A title.
Walker admitted: “The objective was to win promotion so we failed in that respect. With the players and budget, we should have done better although we did take the fight to the last game.
“We gave Arthurlie, who were undefeated, their toughest game of the season but it’s frustrating that we had players missing for our biggest game.”
Goals from Rab Patterson and Kyro Crawford fired Maybole into a shock interval lead. The hosts struck back through Jordan Leyden, Lee Roulston and Dale Simeon before Crawford was pulled down for a penalty but Patterson’s effort was saved.