McBookie Super League Premier Division

KILWINNING RANGERS 0

HURLFORD UNITED 0

BUFFS boss Chris Strain was left frustrated after their title aspirations abruptly ended at Abbey Park after a gritty performance from Scottish Cup finalists Hurlford.

The hosts couldn't find their footing in the final third and despite Pollok doing them a favour by beating top boys Talbot, the draw meant it was the end of the line for their challenge.

He said: “It was going out of hands before this game and we couldn’t have matched any totals to be honest and it looked like an end of season game to me. We missed so many chances and we’re missing that ruthless streak and that’s why we’re not champions.

“We’ve had plenty chances to score goals and by half-time we should be 4-0 up in the first half but it’s a story of coulda, woulda, shoulda.”

Buffs burst out the traps, with Findlay Frye feeding Michael Wardrope who forced a good stop from Ally Brown, who was going to be in for a busy afternoon between the sticks.

But 'Ford hit back as Ross Robertson teed up Mark Roberts to fire wide and this seemed to annoy the Abbey Park side.

Carlo Monti threaded it through the Ford backline for Ben Lewis to collect and fire at the legs of Brown, and moments later Wardrope swept in a cross for Tommy Maitland to head back to Jamie Whyte who nodded over with the goal gaping.

The ball was in the net in 40 minutes after Brian Boylan burst free and drilled past Brown but whistler Craig King dismissed it for offside.

'Ford found their focus after the break with Ryan Caddis leading the charge but the Buffs rearguard stood strong and repelled and attack directed at them.

The lead nearly came late on from a bit of magic from Ross Robertson, who turned Craig Pettigrew inside out and chipped over Michael D Wardrope only for it to nestle on top of the net, leaving the 'Ford man frustrated.

Both sides looked to have settled for a point as time ticked away with the visitors overjoyed to have walked away with a share of the spoils.