Auchinleck Talbot defensive stalwart Craig Pettigrew has agreed a deal that will see him join SPFL League One outfit Stranraer at the end of the season.

The 27-year-old has won every possible honour at Junior level, including Scotland caps in five memorable and silver-laden seasons at Beechwood Park, but he is facing a race against the clock to recover from a hamstring strain injury in time to pick up a last silverware prize for the West Region kingpins in this weekend's Evening Times Champions' Cup Final against Neilston.

Reported to be moving in the other direction is Stranraer midfielder Ryan Borris, who has been in talks with both Auchinleck and their arch-rivals Cumnock, whose manager Brian McLuckie is on the hunt for a commanding centre-back after Chris Robertson agreed terms with Barr Scottish Junior Cup winners Hurlford United.

Meanwhile, yet another up-and-coming Junior prospect catching the eye of Queen's Park boss Gus MacPherson is Cumbernauld stopper Danny Boyle, who could seal a move upstairs with an impressive performance when United face Clydebank in the Euroscot Eng Central League Cup final tomorrow week at Newlandsfield.

Kilbirnie co-gaffer Stevie Swift has been shaking his head at the departure of the versatile Chris Hamilton, who has moved to Central Second Division side Cambuslang Rangers.

Said a bemused Swifty: "Chris turning down our resigning terms had Mark Crilly and myself thinking he was going to another Super Premier club.

"He's a top-notch player, so dropping down all of three divisions seems to be a strange career move."

It is understood Hamilton could well be the first of a number of high-profile signings at Somervell Park.