TASTING defeat last year helped inspire Auchinleck Talbot to turn the tide in their weekend clash with rivals Cumnock Juniors.

The two sides faced off on Saturday, October 7, in the second round of the Scottish Junior Cup.

The hosts of the weekend's clash, Cumnock, were looking to retain the trophy they won for only the third time in their history last year.

The Townhead Park side defeated two East Ayrshire rivals en route to the final last season - including Saturday's opponents Auchinleck in the fourth round.

But it was that victory which Talbot used to rally their players during the weekend's clash, which the 14-time Junior Cup champions won 3-2.

However, it was far from straightforward, with Cumnock leading the game 1-0 at half-time thanks to a Sam Jamieson strike.

It led to some "harsh words" in the away dressing room after the first 45 minutes, as assistant boss Allan McLuckie told the club's own social media after the game.

He said: “The first half we started well for 20 minutes, then we fell out of it, they scored a poor goal from our point of view and they were in the ascendency.

“Half time there were a few harsh words said – we reminded them what happened here last year.

“The guys then went out there and applied themselves, we couldn’t ask for any more.”

The second half saw Talbot turn the game on its head, with Ross Smith levelling from the penalty spot on 50 minutes.

Michael Wardrope then gave the away side the lead just after the hour mark, with a trademark strike from just outside the penalty box.

Smith then doubled his tally, and Talbot's lead, after 67 minutes to give Tommy Sloan's men some breathing space.

Mark McLennan did reduce the deficit with 15 minutes remaining, but Talbot managed to hold on to claim the East Ayrshire bragging rights.

McLuckie told the club's social media that he hopes this can be a good starting point for Talbot turning around what has been a challenging season thus far.

He said: "I'm absolutely delighted to win the game and get into the next round, the support was absolutely incredible – the atmosphere was great.

“We see this as a point to kick on. I’d prefer a league game (up next) but it’s two cup games in a row.

“So we just go, keep in the cups and keep the season going, you want to go to the latter stages of the cups and get into finals.”

Talbot now face a trip to face Bridge of Don in the third round of the cup in early November, as they look to make it Scottish Junior Cup title number 15.