Chris Strain has hit back at claims Kilwinning Rangers will struggle to compete with the West Region elite in the Super Premier Division next season.

The Buffs secured a coveted top league place with a play-off win over Shettleston.

But club officials then proceeded to” all but snatch defeat from the jaws of victory” by bizarrely axing Strain by text message in the immediate aftermath of their 5-3 aggregate triumph..

Reasons remain obscure at best, however word has it that Strain’s judgment on signings and team selection was being regularly questioned to the extent that he knew of the likelihood of his impending dismissal before his players took to the park for their make or break second-leg decider .

This seemingly absurd decision to dispense with the services of the manager who had steered Kilwinning Rangers to back-to-back promotions as well as a last-four placing in this season’s ETHXenergy Scottish Junior Cup sparked a furious outcry in the Ayrshire town.

And the fall-out has subsequently forced the resignations of Strain’s dissenters and the election of a new cub committee whose first task was to reinstate the 35-year-old to the Abbey Park helm.

But the somewhat farcical episode has not been without collateral damage as the Buffs boss revealed last night.

He said: "I kept whispers about my sacking away from our dressing room, but keeping a lid on things in wider Junior circles was a lot more difficult and affected my talks with prospective new signings.

“And in the wake of last Friday night’s events, a couple of my targets decided to throw in their lot with other clubs as they felt I was no longer Buffs manager and therefore unable to offer them signing deals.

“I’m now trying to resurrect approaches made to other players who were on our radar but it’s anything but straightforward as rival managers have now got their foot in the door however if matters come to fruition then I’m sure we can hold our own among the big guns .

”What we also have in our favour is the magnificent support and backing of the people of Kilwinning and that can be worth a goal of a start in home games.”

It’s been rumoured that Strain has his sights set on Petershill pair Chris Malone and Ciaron McElroy but he refused to confirm reports albeit he did hint at the likely departure from Abbey Park of outstanding teenage striker Ross Stewart.

He added: "Ross has enjoyed a marvellous season and his outstanding displays in both games against Shettleston has only raised his profile higher and alerted Senior clubs to his abilities.

“A handful of clubs, including Falkirk, are on his case and he’s a typical ambitious 19-year-old in wanting to step up and try to carve out a future for himself in the game and I truly believe he has a chance.

“Kilwinning Rangers are not going to put barriers in his way however he is still under contract therefore interested parties should be prepared to offer some compensation for his signature to help us unearth a replacement.

“Losing Ross leaves a hole to fill and we have also recognised the need to strengthen other areas of the team however getting the right people on board is more important than just filling jerseys with who is available."

Meanwhile, the curtain officially comes down on the 2015/16 season today with Scottish Junior Football’s AGM taking place.

However, already there is news of the first two departures from Beith’s historic Scottish Junior Cup winning side after highly rated striker Andy Reid and goalkeeper Stephen Grindlay announced they are retiring from football.

Mighty boss Johnny Millar said: “ Both players have been great assets to this club so to lose them at this juncture is a real hammer blow and I’m not going to pretend otherwise.”

The Ayrshire cracks are reputed to be close to capturing Irvine Meadow pair Ross “Archie “ McPherson and Jordan Murch but Millar would only confirm the arrivals at Bellsdale of veteran defender Mark McLaughlin a former Arthurlie team mate in the 1990’s and versatile Connor McGlinchey who was on the Barrhead club ‘s books last season.

Yet another player heading for the Meadow Park exit gates is wing ace Gary McCann whose signature is thought to be highly sought after by Pollok and Auchinleck Talbot.