ARDROSSAN Winton Rovers will tell you they are back where they belong after the weekend.

It comes as they swept aside title rivals Lanark United at Winton Park on Saturday, winning 4-0.

Heading into the match, it was all to play for, with Ardrossan sitting in second place while their opposition occupied top spot in the West of Scotland Football League (WoSFL) Third Division.

However, Winton put in a real statement performance, sending out a message to the league that they are the side to beat.

Their victory sees them leapfrog Saturday’s opposition and return to the league’s summit.

The new league leaders put in what fans described as their “best performance of the season” and played “the best football I have seen them play”.

And it was a case of setting the tone early as Aiden Ferris got Rovers off to a good start by scoring in the fifth and 16th minutes.

Then captain Liam McGuinness netted from the penalty spot on 40 minutes to give Rovers a 3-0 half-time lead.

They continued their domination into the second 45, and a Chris Craig goal in the closing stages put the icing on the cake of a fantastic day of football for Gavin Friels’ men.

However, despite being atop the table, Winton’s quest for title glory - or even securing one of three promotion slots - is not as straightforward as it may seem.

Of the sides below them in the standings at present, four can overtake Rovers should they win their games in hand.

Although, after Saturday’s outstanding display in this crunch tie, they will take solace in knowing they face each of these sides one more time in their final 11 games.

It means promotion is well and truly in their own hands, though they will need some favours along the way to take top spot and the title.

And Winton’s credentials will be tested as early as this weekend coming, when they travel to face one of the sides that can catch them - local rivals Irvine Victoria.

They will be looking to settle the score from their last meeting, when the Vics came to Winton Park and won 2-1. The match will be played on Saturday, March 18, at Victoria Park. Kick off is at 2pm.