SATURDAY's home showdown with Pollok is a must-win game for Kilwinning Rangers as the basement battle heads towards a conclusion.

That was the message this week from manager Chris Strain and veteran striker Ian Cashmore after Buffs missed out on automatic survival following their 3-1 defeat away to Arthurlie.

The best they can now hope for is a playoff spot with Kilbirnie Ladeside now safe.

Strain said: "It was a disappointing result but we had to change our formation after Mikey Morris was injured in the warm-up but mistakes cost us again and we conceded a goal as soon as we had gone ahead. We seem be be nervous and anxious but I have said to the guys they should stop playing like they are at at the bottom of the league and just go out and win the game on Saturday, which would help us. It would mean Troon had to win their last game to have a chance of catching us. If we play to our potential I really believe we are good enough to stay in this division."

Added Cashmore: "We beat Pollok away and it's very important we win as that would put us in a good position. We want to stay in the Premier Division after all our hard work getting there last year."

Meanwhile Irvine Meadow can take positives from Saturday's Ayrshire Weekly Press Cup penalty shootout defeat.

He said: "Andrew Strachan was outstanding for us and Jared Willet and Stuart Hannah did well. It's no disgrace to lose as Beith have torn some Premier Division sides apart at Bellsdale."

Meadow have problems ahead of Saturday's home clash with Yoker. Chris McKnight and William Wells are on holiday, while Graham Boyd is injured.

Graeme Barbour has left the club.

Irvine Vics boss Stevie Wilson took heart from his team's display as they went down 2-1 to Premier Division Cumnock in another Ayrshire Weekly Press Cup tie

He said: "We went in front and more than matched them. The park's rock hard and that made it difficult. We got our shape right and looked really dangerous every time we got in behind them. I'm very disappointed with the penalty kick they got. It's really, really soft and okay, he gives it but we've got a penalty claim probably just as soft as what they got to get back into the game. It's difficult because you speak to the linesman and he says there's two hands on his back but the referee says there isn't. It's tough on the boys because they've put a lot in."