Troon has rightly revelled in its status as “the team to watch” ever since being promoted as Super First Division champions three years ago.

But their 3-0 weekend defeat by Kilwinning Rangers has them now cast as an overwhelming favourite to relinquish their place among the Super Premier top flight at the end of this season.

And this somewhat stark prediction of a fall from grace is not merely a consequence of poring over a league table that shows The Seasiders currently sitting third from bottom of the pile having gleaned just 16 points from their previous 18 fixtures and crucially with only four games left to scrape a path to safety.

A source of greater concern to Portland Park’s faithful is the sheer paucity of their side’s performance against Super Premier bottom markers Kilwinning, whose morale boosting three-points haul was earned by goals from Bryan Boylan, Darren Moffat and substitute Ian Cashmore.

Troon were abject at times and a clear second best throughout, even though striker Ryan Nisbet was twice denied by the woodwork and visiting supporters were understandably bemoaning the lack of confidence and self-belief running through their team from the moment Boylan netted the game’s opening goal.

Long before the final whistle, their frustrations led to a few dissenting calls being vented in the direction of a dugout where General Manager Jim Kirkwood – erstwhile gaffer of their 2014 promotion winning side – had stepped into the breach to look after playing matters in the absence of team boss Gordon Burns.

One disgruntled Troon fan remarked: "Burns is reputedly posted missing because of work commitments yet he is employed by the Kirkwoods in his day-to-day job.

"So you would think they would have moved heaven and Earth to allow him to take charge of this must-win game.”

An odd situation that needs full knowledge of all the circumstances to explain.

However, far more difficult to comprehend is why this Troon side containing a backbone of vastly seasoned types Ally Semple, Gavin Collins, Dean Keenan, Colin Spence and Chris McKnight, can find themselves scrambling around the relegation dropzone?

Everyone a top-rated Junior yet on Saturday’s evidence appearing lacklustre and out of sorts while every bit as perplexing was the sight of last season’s top scorer Adam Forsyth figuring as an unused substitute and indeed one-time Ayr United signing Gareth Armstrong looking a shadow of the player who arrived on the Portland Park scene in 2013.

Coming up with answers to these questions appears too late to stave off a looming relegation fate even if Burns and his playing charges have not given up hope of retaining their current 'play-off' position at the end of May.

No doubt they would bite your hand off to be offered the opportunity, but delivering this escape route will almost certainly require Troon to pick up four to five points over their remaining fixtures to stay above Kilwinning Rangers and Largs Thistle in the standings.

And it has to be pointed out that Troon’s far from easy ask under normal circumstances has several degrees of difficulty added by three of their yet to be fulfilled quartet of fixtures comprising of trips on the road to face title challenging trio Rob Roy, Glenafton and Auchinleck Talbot.

The Buffs have the opportunity to throw a spanner in the relegation works when they make the short hop to face Beith on Saturday while another two clubs on the periphery of a dropzone meltdown Hurlford United and Kilbirnie Ladeside are also in action against Cumnock and Glenafton respectively.

And it’s rumoured that Hurlford ‘s hopes of coming out on top at Blair Park will be boosted by the signing of their former striker Ross Robertson whose transfer listing by Troon in early January has also sparked approaches from Auchinleck Talbot and Beith.

Yet another ex-Hurlford player on the move is versatile James Creaney (telephone 07957645008) who is on the lookout for a Junior club after obtaining his release from Cowdenbeath.

Meanwhile, hard not to think Maryhill’s hopes of clinching a Scottish Junior Cup quarter-final clash at home to Gartcairn have suffered a blow through a waterlogged Lochburn Park pitch bringing about a third consecutive postponement of their outstanding fifth-round tie against Linlithgow Rose at the weekend.

The Super First Division outfit’s determination to play the sole remaining last 16 contest at the fourth time of asking has seen home advantage reluctantly ceded up through a switch of venue decision taking the tie across the city to McKenna Park, home of St Anthony's.

SATURDAY'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 2pm unless stated)

Scottish Junior Cup fifth round (2.30pm): Maryhill v Linlithgow Rose (McKenna Park).

McBookie.com Super Premier Division: Auchinleck Talbot v Pollok, Rob Roy v Arthurlie , Beith v Kilwinning Rangers, Hurlford Utd v Cumnock, Glenafton v Kilbirnie Ladeside.

McBookie.com Super First Division: Blantyre Vics v Rutherglen Glencairn, Maryhill v Cumbernauld Utd, Shotts Bon Accord v Renfrew, Shettleston v Kilsyth Rangers, Petershill v Yoker Athletic, Girvan v Irvine Vics, Clydebank v Irvine Meadow.

McBookie.com Central First Division: Vale of Clyde v Lesmahagow, Bellshill Athletic v Johnstone Burgh, Larkhall Thistle v Cambuslang Rangers, Benburb v Wishaw, Thorniewood Utd v Rossvale, Forth Wanderers v St Roch’s, Neilston v Greenock.

McBookie.com Central Second Division: East Kilbride Thistle v St Anthony’s, Dunipace v Ashfield ,Lanark Utd v Carluke Rovers, Newmains Utd v Glasgow Perthshire, Gartcairn v Vale of Leven, Port Glasgow v Royal Albert.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League: Annbank Utd v Kello Rovers, Dalry Thistle v Darvel, Saltcoats Vics v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Maybole v Lugar Boswell, Craigmark v Whitletts Vics, Muirkirk v Ardeer Thistle.