CUMNOCK'S star man this week departed the club to have a crack at senior football.

Nock winger, Aiden Malone this week took the decision to leave the Townhead side after he signed a deal with newly promoted League One outfit Queens Park.

Malone helped fire Nock to the First Division title and caught the eye of a host of senior clubs.

Cumnock boss John McKeown tabled an offer to keep Malone at Townhead Park, but the Nock star opted to move to the senior side.

Malone now joins former Nock star, Josh Watt who also joined the Hampden side last month.

Cumnock gaffer McKeown said: "We're obviously disappointed to lose Aiden but I think he'd have regrets if he hadn't tried to go senior. It's hard to blame the boy. He leaves with no ill will and we wish him all the best.

"They signed Josh Watt from us last month as well so those are two big loses for us but we've got to move on."

The Nock boss has been left disappointed by a lack of communication from Queens Park before they snapped up the pair.

He said: "We haven't had any contact from Queens Park at all so that's poor from Gus MacPherson. I'm a wee bit disappointed with that. They signed Josh on a pre-contract whilst he was still contracted to us so that's a bit cheeky but I'm not going to dwell on it."

McKeown was boosted this week by news that Keir Samson will return to the club for another season. The Cumnock boss has also snapped up 21 year old wide man, Andy Muir from Ayr United. Muir can play on the left or right side of both the defence and midfield.

Nock's pre-season training got under way this week and among those at the opening session was ex Glenafton goalie, David Buchanan. Buchanan is a free agent after his deal at Loch Park expired at the end of the season and he has been invited to train with Cumnock.

McKeown said: "We are short on goalkeepers at the minute. Darren Johnstone has left and we are waiting to see what Graeme Shepherd is going to do.

"It gives David a chance to have a look at us and we can have a look at him."

McKeown has already captured Scott Anson and William Wells.