WEATHER-Beaten Ardrossan Winton Rovers boss Stevie Wilson praised his team for staging a stunning comeback in what he described as the "worst conditions of my football career".

However despite enduring 90 minutes of freezing rain and gusty winds in the 4-4 draw at home to Lanarkshire team Royal Albert, he is firmly against any suggestions of moving the beautiful game to the summer time.

A backs-to-the-wall performance from the Ardrossan side in the League One clash saw them recover from 3-0 down to 3-3 before conceding another goal and scoring a late final equaliser.

Wilson said: "Those were the worst conditions I have experienced in 25 years of football. We had strong winds and freezing rain, it was really tough going. But the committee worked hard on the park and the surface was good, it was raining but you didn't have puddles forming on the pitch. The referee found it hard to blow his whistle and the players could hardly feel their fingers and I was shaking when I came in. People talk about wanting summer football but you have monsoon-like conditions in August.

"If we had a break now we would be back playing in February or March and promotion deciders would be in November when the weather can be bad. Things are decided in May when the weather is often much better."

On the game he said: "The guys showed a lot of character in coming from behind, I was really disappointed with our first half display. We lost three poor goals but did much better in the second and could have won it. But we must go to Shotts on Saturday and aim to win the game."

Winton have signed former Kilmarnock and Stranraer left-sided midfielder Sam Lidington on a month-long loan from Hurlford United.

Wilson said: "It's great to have Sam on board, he is quick on the ball and good with his left foot."