Auchinleck Talbot manager Tommy Sloan applauded his players for keeping going to the end as they notched twice late on to beat Troon 2-0 at the weekend.

Talbot travelled to Portland Park on Saturday keen to continue their title charge after a huge win over Pollok a fortnight ago.

It was a quiet opening 45 though against the Seasiders as both sides went in goalless at the break.

In the second half, it looked as if the game might be destined for a draw with a stalemate still on the scoreline with the minutes ticking down.

However, Tucker was keen to ensure all the points would be coming back to Auchinleck and rang the changes with Bryan Boylan and Mark Shankland coming on.

Shankers was crucial to the opener, as he played in Chris Stafford to the right hand side of the box with a deft backheel.

The Greenock Morton loanee squared the ball across the box and running in to tap in unopposed was Dwayne Hyslop.

The other sub, Boylan, then played a big part in the second goal deep in injury time.

The striker’s cross into the box was met acrobatically by Keir Samson who spectacularly bicycle kicked the ball in to seal the victory.

Speaking to the Chronicle, Sloan said: “Keeping going right until the end was vital.

“We did not waver at the end, we kept going and got our reward.

“I think it was on 85 minutes or even maybe a bit later but it was great to get a couple of goals late on and kill the game off.”

The victory saw the return of several key players to first team action including Shankland and Hyslop.

Sloan says he was thrilled to welcome the duo back as they go into a tough run of games.

He said: “We need to try and have a freshness about us for every game and that is going to be really difficult.

“So, to have a fresh player or two back really helps the situation I feel.

“We have not got the biggest squad in the world but we will get on it with it and I am delighted with the efforts up to now.”