McBookie Super League Premier Division

KILWINNING RANGERS 1

POLLOK 0

By Stewart McConnell

HOMETOWN boy Lewis Morrison ended what has been a hugely challenging week for himself.

He came off the bench to score the victory-clinching goal which almost certainly takes the Abbey Parkers into the Premier playoff - four days after being released by Killie- from whom he was on loan.

Buffs began strongly and a Carlo Monti effort from 25 yards was deflected wide in seven minutes.

A throw-in from the same player hit the post in eight minutes as Buffs attacked.

Colin Williamson shot across the face of goal for Pollok in 15 minutes.

Visiting defender Tom Hanlon steered the ball back to goalkeeper Jordan Longmuir ahead of Monti, who was lurking three minutes later.

'Lok defender Ross McCabe was booked for a rash challenge on Buffs striker Bryan Boylan in 25 minutes.

Buffs had their best chance in 31 minutes when Ben Lewis picked up a return pass from Boylan and had an effort from eight yards smothered by Longmuir.

Then Findlay Frye shot inches over the bar from 26 yards two minutes later

Boylan hit the post from eight yards in 37 minutes.

Home goalie Adam Strain made a superb diving save from a 25-yard Michael Daly free-kick in 53 minutes and at the other end a set piece from a similar distance from Monti was well handled by the visiting goalie two minutes later. A Liam McGuinness shot from 25 yards crashed off the crossbar in 62 minutes.

However two minutes later the deadlock was broken when the Pollok defence failed to clear their lines and Morrison sent home an angled drive from eight yards.

The hosts came close again in 70 minutes when a Morrison effort from 25 yards was confidently saved by Longmuir.

Three minutes from time Monti was booked for a late challenge on a visiting player. Then a Kieran McAleenan free-kick was deflected wide by the home defence as Buffs held on for a vital victory.