THE most exciting battle for Super First Division promotion places in the history of the competition is set for an extraordinary finish to the season.

Having four automatic places and two play-off spots under league reconstruction proposals has given clubs everything to play for in their respective season run-ins.

Runaway champions Petershill and runners-up Cambuslang Rangers are already home and dry but as things stand no fewer than five other clubs – Renfrew, Irvine Meadow, Troon, Largs Thistle and Rutherglen Glencairn – remain in the hunt to play in the Super Premier top flight next season.

Renfrew’s campaign ended three weeks ago and they currently occupy third top spot on 49 points; however, it must trouble Frew supporters to know both Irvine Meadow and Largs Thistle could yet come out of the chasing pack to overhaul their team and consign them to a play-off game.

For that to happen, Medda must beat the Glens by a two-goal margin in their final league game on Saturday while Theesel simply cannot afford to lose when they travel up to Greenfield Park to face Shettleston.

Largs boss Stuart Davidson said: “We would love to get into a Cup Final but the big picture for us is to get back up to the Super Premier from where we were relegated last time out.

“There are all sorts of crazy scenarios that might unfold but if we can win our final two games then it doesn’t matter.”

Arnie’s players have strung together a consistent run of results that has seen them only lose over 90 minutes to Irvine Meadow since November and the proud gaffer reckons his side’s firepower has been a major factor.

He added: “ Scott Adam is a striker who was previously on the books of both Rob Roy and Glenafton before dropping down to play for West Kilbride Amateurs from where we signed him and he has been in sensational scoring form.

“We can also call on Ryan McKie formerly of Arthurlie and the ex-Glenafton front man John Carter, as well as one-time Morton signing Alex McWaters. And let’s not forget our older head Kevin Struthers who has weighed in with a few crucial goals as always.

“Mind you, I just hope the guys have kept a few in the locker for these last few games.”

By way of contrast, Irvine Meadow boss Brian McGinty believes his side’s promotion chances will be furthered if they defend well in the Celsius Stadium showdown.

He said: "Glencain have excellent forwards in Jay McKay, Gary Smith and Jamie Hamilton so we have to put their gas at a peep to stand any chance of winning the game.

“It’s a head to head of the two Super First form teams as the Glens have racked up 10 wins from their last 15 games and our figures are 12 out of 15, so something has to give.

“Just to be in this position is nothing short of a sensational turnaround in fortunes when you think Irvine Meadow were sitting third bottom of the table just a few weeks after myself and Stevie Aitchison came on board.

“The players deserve all the credit going and I told them when we had five fixtures left to play that five wins would get them up and tomorrow is the fifth of those games.

“We ran out 3-1 winners against Glencairn at the start of this month but they will be strengthened by the return of Liam Gormley and Jordan Leyden while we are unsure whether Mark McLelland, Ryan Carnwath and Graham Boyd will recover from injuries that sidelined them against Kilsyth Rangers last week.”

Yet another Ayrshire challenger, Troon, are on the road to meet Larkhall Thistle knowing victory guarantees a play-off place but might (if other results go their way) bring automatic promotion.

LAST NIGHT’S RESULTS: McBookie.com Central First Division. Thorniewood Utd v Forth Wanderers , Yoker Athletic v Shotts Bon Accord..McBookie.com Ayrshire District League.Saltcoats Vics v Ardeer Thistle. Ayrshire Cup.2nd Round.Girvan v Beith. Semi Final.Kilbirnie Ladeside v Largs Thistle. Central League Cup 3rd Round. Blantyre Vics v Rob Roy , Cumbernauld Utd v Shettleston..