A HIGHLY charged top-of-the-table contest at Newlandsfield last night was perfectly summed up by a jubilant Irvine Meadow supporter as the teams trooped inside at the final whistle.

"Hey Chris, we really like you now", was his shout at often maligned Medda boss Chris Strain, whose likeability factor can never have been higher following a hard fought 2-1 victory over reigning Super Premier champions Pollok.

The title pendulum now appears to have swung back in the Ayrshiremen's favour after their hard-fought triumph puts them eight points clear atop the standings to leave Pollok's hopes of retaining their championship crown dependent upon them winning their three remaining fixtures.

Strain did acknowledge the plaudits of backslapping fans on his way to the dressing room, but resisted the opportunity to indulge in a bit of gloating at "doing the double" over his title rivals.

"We've done our part of the job," said Chris. "And now we can only wait to see if either Glenafton, Auchinleck or Cumnock can do us a massive favour in their forthcoming games against Pollok .

"Tonight was all about us concentrating on getting a result and I thought each and every one of my players were magnificent in the way they went about their business.

"We dominated for the most part if truth be told, but it's never easy coming here and there were a few hairy moments in the closing stages as Pollok went for broke."

The stakes on offer saw to it that there were more meaty challenges than slick passing movements to excite a near 1000 watching throng in the early stages.

Referee Barry Cook was doing his best to show leniency, but he had no choice other than to reach for his yellow card after Lok defender Joe Carruth scythed down Richie Barr on the 20th minute mark.

And less than a minute later he was brandishing the card again, this time at Barr's striking partner Emilio Jaconelli, whose fierce challenge left Carruth writhing on the ground in abject agony and unable to play on.

Lok interim boss Harry Erwin's response was to bring on young midfielder John Sweeney and drop Stevie Miller into defence, but the changes had no impact on the action which remained fast and furious at both ends of the park.

The visitors were holding the upper hand in midfield where Mark Crilly and Gareth Turner were coming out better in exchanges with opponents Andy McLay and David McGeowan, however next to nothing was being created in the way of clear-cut chances.

It wasn't surprising, therefore, that a set-piece brought about the breakthrough approaching the half-time interval.

A corner flicked on by Chris McGowan fell for centre-back partner Chris Robertson, who was criminally afforded time to control the ball before hammering a shot high into the net past namesake Kris Robertson.

The second half saw Pollok offer more in the way of an attacking threat and they came close to snatching an equaliser when Bryan Dingwall fired a great ball across goal but agonisingly just out of the on-rushing Andy Essler's reach.

Visiting fans groaned when the influential Barry McLaughlin went off injured in 73 minutes, however they were soon wildly celebrating as Medda doubled their advantage from another corner kick.

This time Chris Strain's far-flung cross was powerfully headed back across goal by McGowan and goal poacher supreme Barr netted with a diving header.

Any thoughts that the game was done and dusted were soon blown away by Pollok pulling a goal back from a flag kick of their own, thanks to former Irvine stopper Dexy Wingate flashing a strong header beyond keeper Michael Wardrope.

Both teams used their full quota of substitutes in the latter stages, but the most noticeable impact was that of Andy McLaren.

The veteran frontman, on in place of Jaconelli, set up Davie Hamilton whose close-range header was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Robertson.

The game fizzled out from that point, with Pollok unable to work the ball into the danger areas.

Medda, though, were content to run down the clock to earn a precious three-point haul, leading their ecstatic followers to somewhat prematurely belt out the "Championees" anthem at full-time. Auchinleck win keeps Vale of Clyde up

By Jim O'Donnell THE other top-flight game taking place last night became a cause for celebration around Tollcross after news filtered through that Auchinleck Talbot had recovered from 2-0 down to beat Bellshill Athletic 4-2.

Goals from Stuart Tullis and John Gibson put the Lanark-shire side ahead but Sean McIlroy, Craig Pettigrew and Colin Spence (2) turned the tie in favour of the Ayrshire men.

The outcome ensures Vale of Clyde cannot be relegated and leaves Bellshill and Glenafton as candidates for the play-off against the third-best Super First Division outfit.

That fate may well befall Kilbirnie Lade-side, who went down to Andy McGinty and Darren Dalrymple goals for Kilsyth Rangers.

Kilbirnie's defeat crowns Largs Thistle as the new Super First champions. And Citylink Cup finalists Clydebank continued their surge as Chris Mackie netted a double, one a penalty kick, in a 2-0 win over Hurlford United.

Another shock result in the Central First Division saw promotion-chasing Ashfield hammered 4-1 at relegation battlers Vale of Leven. Last night's results

Stagecoach Super Premier: Pollok 1 Irvine Meadow 2, Auchinleck 4 Bellshill 2.

Stagecoach Super First: Kilsyth 2 Kilbirnie 0, Hurlford 0 Clydebank 2, Lanark 3 Maybole 0.

Stagecoach Central First: Vale of Leven 4 Ashfield 1, Johnstone Burgh 0 Larkhall 1.