Kilbirnie Ladeside boss Stevie Swift received a special pat on the back from co- gaffer Mark Crilly after last weekend's 2-1 win over Renfrew.

The seeds of recovery were sown as the Ayrshiremen's long-awaited first league win in four starts saw them move off bottom spot and up three places in the Stagecoach Super First Division standings.

And former Pollok and Irvine Meadow ace Swifty had a starring role – after his shock return to playing action helped bolster a leaky Blasties backline.

Crilly said: "Steven is still retained by Pollok, but fortunately we were able to name him as a trialist and he went on to turn in a great performance.

"It took him a while to find his bearings, as you might expect from someone who hasn't played in over six months. But his great experience told in the end and he strolled through the second half.

"His calming influence on the guys around him was also noticeable because we never looked like a side that had conceded four goals in each of our previous league outings."

But Swifty has no serious plans to pull the boots back on and is relishing his Valefield dugout role. The 32-year-old said: "I'm loving getting involved in the coaching side of things and just working with players to try and improve their game.

"Anyway, I'd be well down the pecking order even if I wanted to put myself forward for a jersey because the likes of Stuart Davidson is ready to return after a month-long absence, while David McGeown is also on the comeback trail."

One-time Junior Scotland midfielder Crilly insists self-belief is the key to Kilbirnie's hopes of securing another three-point haul when they face a Yoker side unbeaten in their last four league outings this Saturday.

He said: "I'll be looking for us to be more confident through there. It's a venue that calls for a lot of character."

Meanwhile, there's a surprise development at Petershill where Michael Fulton is on the open-to-transfer list at his own request only 10 weeks after moving to Springburn from Rob Roy.

And several clubs are sure to be interested in 27-year-old full-back-turned midfielder Stuart Brodie (07974 202639), who has been freed by Bellshill Athletic.

Elsewhere, one hears West Region beaks will convene at Hampden tonight for a disciplinary agenda that includes Peters- hill midfielder Jordan Murch's appeal against his red card in a game with Auchinleck Talbot

Shotts manager Tony McInally is also expected to answer charges that he criticised whistler Stevie Kirkland for his handling of his outfit's opening league defeat by Irvine Meadow.