REALISTIC Kilwinning Rangers boss Chris Strain conceded his team's Premier Division title challenge was over after a major setback.

They drew 2-2 at home to Kilbirnie Ladeside, making Beith and Auchinleck Talbot the favourites.

Strain said: "I felt that we certainly deserved to win the game on the balance of play, but unfortunately a couple of things didn't go for us. I feel that we are out of the league race, which is disappointing give we had challenged most of the season.

"We waited until we were behind before we cut loose. Our running was not as free flowing. We had a goal chalked off from David Winters, which was onside. But you can't rely on referees.

"You need some luck to win a league and that has deserted us on the run in because of decisions which went against us. The club has improved but we look to win our last two league games and finish and as high up the table as we can."

Meanwhile revenge will be on Strain's mind when he heads to his old stamping ground to face Irvine Meadow in the Ayrshire Weekly Press Cup quarter-finals.

He said: "This is an important game and an opportunity to win silverware. Meadow beat us in the West at Abbey Park so we want to make amends for that."

Meadow went down 4-0 to Hurlford United in a West of Scotland Cup tie on Saturday.

McGinty said: "The sending off killed it and Ryan Carnwath let us down but it's not like him. We want to win the cup tie but the league is much more important."