Saturday’s 1-0 reverse at the hands of Cumnock was akin to looking in a mirror for Pollok.

Their only other Premier Division defeat this season was also against Ayrshire opponents on an astro-turf pitch and similar to their unfortunate early season Bonnyton Thistle episode, the players have only themselves to blame.

Never at any point did the Glasgow club dominate territorially or otherwise - Cumnock midfield ball-winner Jamie Wilson saw to that - however they did carve out all manner of clear-cut scoring opportunities that could and should have put this Townhead Park contest to bed long before their hosts did.

Normally prolific marksman Callum Graham was sinner-in-chief but Lok teammates Adam Forde and Shaun Fraser will also be reflecting back on chances scorned that on another day would have been bulging the net.

Over and above their gaffes was home team goalkeeper Kieron Hughes also doing his bit to ensure a clean sheet, twice foiling Graham with brave dives at his feet as well as one memorable full length stop to keep out a Forde free kick.

Most, but not all, of Cumnock’s energies were channelled into defensive resistance and their ability to funnel back to form a well-organised barrier in front of Hughes.

Beaming Nock boss McInally revealed afterwards: "I’m absolutely delighted for the players to be rewarded for their efforts and for playing our game plan to perfection.

“Their willingness to dig in and make themselves compact and difficult to break down led to Pollok running out of ideas and we then deservedly score a goal and with a touch more luck might easily have added another couple on the counter.

“It was a team effort but Jamie Wilson was a giant for us in midfield and was ably supported by Ally Martin down the left side while Kyle McAusland was outstanding at the back despite biting the bullet to play with a knock because three of our regular back four were missing through injury.”

Macca added: "It was pleasing to see the guys get a few breaks today because there have been games this season where a rub  of the green has not come our way when it’s been merited.”

Cumnock’s attacking intent in the second half almost produced an early breakthrough when a Bryan Wharton error led to the ball sitting nicely for forward Jamie Conn and he sizzled a rasping shot just over the crossbar. The unfortunate Graham then fired narrowly wide in Pollok’s next effort shortly before the game’s decisive moment arrived  just after the hour mark - and from a Pollok screw-up.

No danger was apparent when a bout of Cumnock pressure following a corner kick saw McAusland direct a high lob forward but Lok centre-back Kyle Bradley’s failure to clear his lines led to the ball breaking for home striker Smart Osadolar to lash a strong shot beyond Jordan Logmuir.

Another clear sighting of goal for Graham saw his low drive saved by Hughes and that was to be the Lok front man’s last attempt on goal as Stuart McCann was introduced as his replacement. Longmuir then did well to keep out a well struck Owen Bell effort and Osadolar missed a sitter with only the keeper to beat before Forde was off target from a set-piece.

Pollok piled forward in the closing stages but the nearest thing to a goal arrived at the other end where Osadolar ran through, only for Longmuir to make a blocking save.

Lok gaffer Murdie McKinnon’s emotions were still raw at the final whistle not least because of the realisation his Pollok side deserved better.

He insisted: “You  cannot expect to win at places like Cumnock if you pass up the scoring opportunities that we did today so I’m not complaining about the result. We were the architects of our own downfall and I’m not pretending otherwise but we need to take it on the chin , go away and lick our wounds and come back looking to make amends against Largs Thistle on Wednesday night.”

Pollok’s defeat saw them fall six points behind Auchinleck Talbot who won thanks to a second half goal by substitute Jack McDowall proving decisive and enabling the Ayrshiremen to run out 1-0 winners over a dogged Rutherglen Glencairn at the Hamish B. Allan Stadium.

Joint second top pair Kilwinning Rangers  and Clydebank both dropped points with the Buffs having to come from behind to a Ross McKenzie goal against struggling Rossvale to snatch a 1-1 share of the spoils from a David Syme penalty.

And it took a stunning deep into injury time free kick goal from outstanding Clydebank hitman Nicky Little - his 100th for the Bankies - to earn a 2-2 draw against an Irvine Meadow side who had led 2-1.

No such slip up by Darvel, 2-0 victors away to Largs Thistle, thanks to Darren Miller and Scott Ferguson counters. However Hurlford United were another of the top half of the table sides to falter after suffering a 1-0 Guys Meadow defeat by Cumbernauld United for whom David Cameron netted what ultimately turned out to be the only goal of the game.

And neither eighth in the table Benburb nor ninth-placed Beith were able to make up ground after playing out a fiercely competitive  2-2 Bellfield Park stalemate.

Lewis Lovering‘s early goal for the Govan visitors was levelled by Jay Mackay prior to Calum Watt putting the Mighty in front only for Ryan McCrone to equalise from the spot.

Bottom side Kilbirnie Ladeside snatched their first point of the season away to Blantyre Vics and Bonnyton Thistle lost 3-1 at home to Troon.

Elsewhere, Rob Roy’s stirring run of five consecutive wins was ended down in the Ayrshire heartlands where goals by Scott Sherrie, Sean McIlroy and Jordan Ryan earned Glenafton a 3-1 Loch Park triumph.

At Conference level, a brace of Jordan Leyden goals was instrumental to Arthurlie remaining top of the A Division pile through a 3-3 draw with Muirkirk while Cambuslang Rangers continue to lead the Division B way thanks to Scott Anson, Stuart Williamson, Jay Nelson and John Gemmell scores carving out a 4-1 win over Renfrew.

The top of the table C Division clash of St Rochs and Drumchapel Amateurs saw the Candy deservedly  move into  top spot thanks to a 3-1 success on the back of strikes by Jamie Longworth (2) and Connor Hughes.