But his side nearly fell behind with just five minutes on the clock.

Kris Robertson came to collect a long free kick but was beaten to the ball by Bryan Slavin. Only the intervention of Joe Carruth with a goal-line clearance kept the scoresheet blank.

Bryan Young saw a strike deflected wide for a corner as Talbot continued to pile on the pressure. In a rare foray upfield Pollok earned a corner from which Stevie Miller mis-hit a volley. The ball dipped towards the Auchinleck net however and had to be headed off the line for another corner. This time Stevie Miller caught the ball perfectly to drive it low beyond Adam Strain for a 21st-minute opener from 14 yards.

Good work from Andy McClay and Davie Turnbull fashioned an opportunity for Bryan Dingwall after 38 minutes, but he blazed over from outside the box.

Talbot also had the first chances of the second half but Pollok moved two goals clear on 52 minutes after a wonderful save by Kris Robertson.

Calum Hardie showed terrific skill on the right to leave Liam McVey for dead, and he picked out Andy Essler at the far post who slid the ball past Strain. Pollok immediately looked to close down the game, with Shaun Dillon replacing David McGeown as they changed their formation to a back four. Pettigrew and Doolan missed further chances for Talbot before they found themselves reduced to ten men after 63 minutes.

Mallan swung an arm at the face of Dillon, and referee Derek Nicholls had no alternative but to send the veteran back to the pavilion.

Late on, Essler found Dingwall at the near post but the prolific Pollok hitman couldn't find the target on this occasion.

His side had already done enough to claim the honours however and move back within one point of Glenafton Athletic at the top of the standings.

Next for Pollok is a trip to Neilston on Saturday, while the draw for the Scottish Junior Cup will once more see them hit the road as they travel to Kilbirnie Ladeside in round three.