AXED Largs Thistle boss Pat McIlvogue has expressed his bitter disappointment at being denied the opportunity to see out the season with the club he has served for the last eight seasons.

Club officials revealed their bombshell on Monday night even though the side currently sit third top of the Super First Division standings and retain a vested interest in both the New Coin Holdings Cup (last 16 stage) and Ayrshire Cup (last eight) competitions.

And McIlvogue said: "I'd have thought the years I've put in at Largs Thistle would at the very least have earned me a stay of execution to see how our promotion and cup dreams would have panned out.

"But then maybe that's the very reason the decision was made now in case we did finish the season with a flourish.

"Nothing else adds up because I'm still struggling to come to terms with club officials saying they didn't want us to carry on in our roles just five days away from a pivotal league match away to Maybole.

"I take Margaret Brown our president at her word when she says nobody is lined up to take the job, however, it borders on the absurd to leave the team bereft of any coaching staff ahead of what is a must-win tie to boost our promotion bid."

Though clearly gutted, Pat was at pains to lavish praise on his Largs players.

He added: "This is a very young team with an average age of 23, and they are an absolutely fantastic bunch who have been a joy to work with.

"There is so much potential in the squad and in some respects I feel cheated to now miss out on their development."

Largs president Brown revealed that last weekend's 3-1 defeat by Cumbernauld United was the tipping point.

She said: "Our decision was both unanimous and extremely difficult to make given Pat's outstanding dedication and service to Largs Thistle down through the years.

"But the bottom line is results have not been good enough."