FORMER Kilwinning Rangers boss Chris Strain came back to haunt his old club on Saturday as his Beith Juniors side clinched the Premier Division title.

Little more than a year after being "relieved of his duties" at Buffs Park, Strain led his side to a 5-0 win at Bellsdale Park - a result which, thanks also to Josh Jack's late goal for Hurlford at home to Darvel, made Beith's championship win a mathematical certainty.

In the process, though, the Bellsdale result edges Strain's old side closer to relegation from the top flight.

And while it was all smiles in the Beith camp, the emotions among the Kilwinning players, coaching staff and supporters could hardly have been more different.

A second consecutive heavy defeat for Chris Aitken's men, coupled with a 3-1 win for fellow strugglers Arthurlie against Rob Roy, means that Buffs realistically have to win three of their last four games if they're to avoid relegation to the second tier.

Relegation has now been confirmed for Petershill and Cambuslang - and Buffs will join them in the First Division next season unless they can stage a major turnaround in form in their last few games.

Kilwinning were sitting fifth in the table and 10 points off then league leaders Auchinleck Talbot when Strain's surprise departure was announced in April 2022.

By contrast, Beith had finished only two points above the relegation zone in the season before Strain took over - meaning at least some Buffs fans are certain to be wondering what might have happened if their former manager hadn't been shown the exit door.

Buffs' next 'must win' game is against Rob Roy at Guy's Meadow this Wednesday, May 3 (KO 7.15pm) before Largs Thistle are the visitors in Buffs' final home match of the campaign on Saturday, May 6.

Then it's a short trip to Portland Park to face Troon on May 10 before a tough season draws to an end away to Petershill three days later.