STRUGGLING Ardeer Thistle are looking for their third manager of the season after another "embarrassing" result.

The Stevenston team on Saturday suffered a crushing 7-0 home defeat against Ashfield only two weeks after being thrashed 18-0 by leaders Lesmahagow.

The weekend defeat resulted in Blair Gilmour stepping down as manager by "mutual consent" and the hunt is now on for a successor.

Gilmour took over in October after Del Gemmell left the post but has found it difficult to find players for games and now the hunt is on to find a successor.

Secretary Peter McBlain said: "We had only seven signed Ardeer players in the squad and the rest were amateurs. It really was embarrassing to lose 7-0 at home. We sat down later with Blair later and it was agreed that he would step down by mutual consent.

"This is the worst start to a season I can remember in 15 years with Ardeer, the results have been very poor. Now we are looking to bring in a new manager. We need someone with management experience and who can bring players with him. New faces are needed. We will talk to everyone who applies. Del Gemmell has agreed to take charge for the home game against Carluke."

Meanwhile McBlain wants to see the lower leagues revert to an all-Ayrshire format.

This season saw the introduction of League One and League Two in place of the old Ayrshire and Central District Leagues.

He said: "Whitletts Vics brought all this about but we didn't vote for the new set up, it doesn't bring us much money. A lot of clubs just bring committee so there's no money coming in and when we got to say Carluke we will take mainly only committee members."

Ardrossan Winton Rovers, whose game at East Kilbride we called off on Saturday, will return to action with a home game.

They host Royal Albert and manager Stevie Wilson said: "We beat them 3-1 earlier in the season up there but needed a late goal to seal victory. But we are looking to take three points."