GREENOCK gave Pollok an almighty scare with a second half comeback which almost saw them snatch a point.

But they had left themselves with a little too much to do, after a sizzling first half performance by the Glasgow giants sent Greenock in 2-0 behind at the interval, and down to 10 men following a red card for striker Jamie McKenna.

Pollok had splashed the cash in the days leading up to the match, with the signing of former Clyde skipper John Sweeney and ex-Glenafton midfielder Findlay Frye.

And it immediately looked like money well spent, with Sweeney pulling the strings in midfield and Frye getting what was to prove to be the winning goal on his debut.

Prior to the match, Greenock boss Martin Campbell had pinpointed striker David Winters as Pollok’s main danger man, and he was spot on, as Winters caused problems to the home defence in the early stages.

A goal-bound shot on 13 minutes was well blocked by Mark Monk in the Greenock goal, but the keeper was beaten a minute later, when Winters curled a delightful free-kick round the defensive wall and high into the net.

Greenock were struggling to get a foothold in the match, and Pollok doubled their lead on 25 minutes.

A cross into the box set Winters up with another scoring chance, but he unselfishly passed to Frye, who was in a better position, and the debutant steered a low shot past Monk.

The remaining talking points of the first half were two red cards, the first for Pollok left-back Graeme McLaren on 40 minutes for a robust challenge on Craig Brown.

It looked nothing more than a booking at first glance, but to Pollok’s fury, and the bemusement of the healthy crowd of around 300, referee David Dunne reached into his back pocket for his red card.

In fairness to the official, though, the match video does show McLaren’s tackle to have been a potentially dangerous lunge at Brown, and the referee’s decision to opt for red is perhaps understandable.

However, the ordering-off of McKenna just two minutes later for a tackle on Pollok’s Gary Wild was more of a mystery.

Yes, it was from behind and was a bit aggressive, but a booking would surely have sufficed. However referee Dunne, no doubt mindful of his decision to send off McLaren, opted for the red card again.

In a fast-flowing match, the official was at the centre of things again just 16 minutes into the second half.

Darren McLachlan appeared to be nudged off the ball by Pollok skipper Jamie Darroch as he raced in on goal, and having given the free-kick the crowd waited for referee Dunne to produce the inevitable red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

But Darroch looked a mightily relieved man as the official settled for yellow, although there was some semblance of justice as Greenock scored from the resultant free-kick.

Kevin McKay’s shot was parried by Pollok keeper Ross Harkness, and it was fitting that the ball should fall into the path of McLachlan, who bundled it home.

Greenock were well on top now, and when the visiting keeper flapped at the ball on the edge of his box, Brown tried an overhead kick which went just inches over the bar.

Thomas Docherty then had a blistering shot turned round the post, but gradually Pollok regained their composure and began to threaten up front again.

A neat three-man passing move ended with Winters firing wide from a good position, but the last chance of the game fell to Greenock with 10 minutes remaining.

McLachlan broke clear on the left and his cross-come-shot landed just out of reach of Brown, who had slid into the box unmarked.

All in all, a reasonably encouraging start to Greenock’s league campaign in what was a very tough opener.

They showed that on their game they can match the top clubs, but must try to start better, and although McKenna’s ordering-off was harsh, they must also avoid the red cards which now see no fewer than three players suspended for this Saturday’s match at Yoker.

Manager Martin Campbell said: ‘’At 2-0 down it would have been easy to crumble, but we kept going and fought back well in the second half. In the end I think we were very unfortunate not to come away with at least a point.

“As for the red cards, I feel the refs are killing the game at times.

“I don’t think either was an ordering-off, and even the Pollok boys were saying Jamie’s was never a red card.

“The only definite one was the one he never gave, when Darren was brought down, as he could have gone on to score.’’ GREENOCK: Monk, Orr, T. Docherty, Scott, Jamieson, Downie (Beattie 59), N. Docherty (Gillan 52), McKay, McKenna, Brown, McLachlan. Subs not used: JP Dow, J. Boyd Jnr., McWilliams.

Greenock Juniors are sponsored by SAVEHEAT, and the Lighthouse Bar. Match sponsored by Lawrence Miller, long-time friend and supporter of Greenock Juniors FC.