UNDER-FIRE Irvine Meadow boss Ross Wilson was sacked on Monday night following a dismal run of form.

The club wielded the axe after a major backlash in the wake of Saturday's 4-3 defeat away to Cambuslang Rangers, with punters and players saying enough was enough and it was time for a change.

They have not won in six weeks and are without a victory in regulation for the last eight games.

Medda legend Jimmy Noble, who was brought in to assist Wilson last month, has stepped into the frontline until the club consider their next appointment.

The club said in a statement on Tuesday morning: "Ross Wilson the Meadow boss was called to a meeting on Monday before training with chairman Robert Jeffrey and was relieved of his position as team manager with immediate effect.

"After the result on Saturday there was a backlash from fans, sponsors and players and coupled with poor results and poor performances the committee felt it was time for a change.

"Jimmy Noble will take over as caretaker manager with Brian Lamb assisting with training. Both have experience in the Junior game.

"The post will not be advertised for at least two weeks until things die down and we can take stock.

"Ross Wilson is a young manager and we wish him all the best in the future. In hindsight maybe the Meadow job was too big for him. I'm sure with more experience he will become a successful young manager.

"I would urge fans to get behind the team for the important league match at Rutherglen Glencairn a week on Saturday and a tough Scottish Cup tie at home to Broxburn the following week. We will take stock over the next couple of weeks and see what happens. There is nothing definite about the appointment at this stage."

Wilson steered Kello Rovers to promotion to the Super First Division last season and believed he could be the next big thing in Junior Football, setting his sights on taking Meadow back to the summit of the game.

However it was clear from early on things were not going well and the first sign of problems came when they failed to qualify for the Ardagh Glass League Cup quarter-finals as well as being well beaten by bitter rivals Irvine Victoria in the Marymass Derby.

They then lost three out of their last four league games, as well as being taken to a Scottish Cup replay by Maryhill - only to win on penalties at Meadow Park. Assistant John Quinn also left last month to take on the manager's job at Kello Rovers. The boss was then backed by the club.

However they currently sit in sixth bottom spot in the Super First Division with just six points from seven games - a distant 15 points behind runaway leaders Petershill. But the club must hope by acting now they will arrest the slump.