Port GLASGOW manager Craig Brown has long been an advocate of unearthing and development of young players as the way forward for his club.

But he makes no apologies for bringing in three experienced heads from Largs Thistle - Eddie Walton, Jo Jo Connolly and Gus Gault - to aid his side's hopes of promotion from the Central Second Division next season.

Bruno's coaching skills have helped improve Port youngsters Brendan Granna, Scott Patterson and Brendan Sharp, but he now believes their continuing development will be best served by playing alongside the seasoned trio of newcomers.

He said: "We have probably put too much emphasis on youth in recent seasons because of the need to cut our cloth according to our means.

"This, in turn, has placed a huge burden on guys like Paul Coyle and Paul Gordon.

"They will now benefit from others sharing the burden and there are signs of a great blend of experience and youth which augurs well for our chances of figuring at the top end of the table.

"By all accounts, Cambuslang Rangers and East Kilbride Thistle are looking strong title candidates but I have a feeling that Port Glasgow will also be there or thereabouts come next May."

The long-serving Port gaffer also revealed he has fixed up goalkeeping prospect Robert Graham from Port Glasgow's Under-21 side while other signings are in the pipeline.

He added: "It's normally the case that we are inundated with a barrowload of players around this time of year wanting to come in and train with a view to earning a contract offer.

"The vast majority are not up to it and it becomes my job to sort out the wheat from the chaff and only bring on board players to enhance this football club."

Elsewhere on the comings and goings front comes word of Bellshill Athletic seeing off the challenge of a number of clubs to sign Gary McGrath (Cambuslang Rangers) and Craig Holmes (Arthurlie).

However, manager Robert Downs has lost out on Mark Daly (Thorniewood United ) after he opted to join Wishaw.

Yet another transfer shuffle has ambitious Ayrshire District League outfit Ardrossan Winton Rovers moving closer to the capture of experienced midfielder John Johnston from Cumnock.

Winton boss Chris Strain is inching towards a deal to land one-time Rangers protégé Johnston after earlier clinching the signatures of stopper Robbie Cochrane (Dalry Thistle ) and forwards Ryan Caddis and Greg Mitchell (Irvine Meadow).

And one hears Largs Thistle midfielder Willie Boyd has agreed terms on a move to West Region champions Auchinleck Talbot.