IRVINE Meadow chairman Robert Jeffrey on Monday threw his weight behind under-fire manager Ross Wilson, who incurred the wrath of frustrated fans following Saturday's 2-1 home defeat against Renfrew.

The boss admitted at the weekend he was concerned about his future.

But he was given help with Meadow legend Jimmy Noble installed as his new assistant on Monday night - a week after John Quinn left to manage Kello Rovers.

Defeat came a week after a 4-0 loss at Petershill.

Ross was disappointed that what looked like a late goal from skipper Ben Carson denied them a point and said: "The linesman made a terrible decision, it was onside. It's a shocker. In football decisions cost people jobs."

Asked if he was worried about his future the boss said after the game: "If the club decide that they want to go forward in the future without me they will do that. I will just dust myself down because there's better managers than me that will be sacked this season."

However Jeffrey said: "We are fully behind the manager. Meadow fans think losing two games is a crisis but we are looking for a reaction and will aim to get three points on Saturday. Some players will be back from injury. Jimmy Noble will help, you can't run a team by yourself."

Ross is now looking for a response from the team and said: "It's about how you bounce back. In the second half I felt we were the better team but it's disappointing. We made it hard for ourselves. We shouldn't have lost either goal. For the first one we didn't react to a corner and from the second we didn't react to a third ball at a corner."

The boss added: "I have an experienced bunch of players and they know what's required. We are just four games into the season and must pick up as many points as possible. We go to Darvel on Saturday. We won there in the Ardagh Cup and are four points better off than last season. If it ends up mathematically impossible for us to get automatic promotion or promotion via the play-offs I will fall on my sword."

Skipper Carson said: "It was a hard one to take. They scored from two set-pieces. In the second half we did better. We are good enough to get out of this league but must stay positive and get a result."

Irvine Victoria manager Stevie Wilson expects a stiff test on Saturday as leaders Craigmark Burntonians, who have won their opening three games, head to Victoria Park.

Vics on Saturday defeated hosts Whitletts Victoria 3-0.

Stevie said: "It was a great result against a team who were pre-season promotion favourites and we dominated. Craigmark will come with confidence high, they have scored 17 goals and conceded one but we are at home and must look to win."