DEREK Frye resigned as manager of ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS on Tuesday night.

The bombshell came three days after his side suffered a 5- 0 defeat at home to IRVINE VICTORIA, to all but end their promotion chances.

Chairman Dougie Rae told Sportscene: "I can confirm that Derek Frye resigned last night as manager.

"Results have not been good recently. When Derek Frye is firing on all cylinders as a coach he is second to none but it didn't happen this time. We want the club to be playing at a higher level." Added Frye: "I have resigned as manager and have my reasons for doing it but I want to wish the Winton committee, the fans and the players all the best." Former Ayr United player Frye was in in his second spell at the club. He returned to Winton Park at the end of last season but was unable to re-capture past glories.

In a glittering first spell with the club spanning four-and-a-half years he won the District League title, which secured promotion to the Super First Divison for the first time.

He also captured the Ayrshire Weekly Press Cup three years in a row.

Following his initial spell at Winton he became co-manager of Premier Division Kirkintilloch Rob Roy.

The club are set to announce a successor to Frye in the next few days.