Arthurlie manager Billy Ogilvie has resigned after the club lost its top flight status and suffered its first relegation since the 82/83 season. 

Ogilvie left on Monday night after failing to lead the side to safety in a two-legged relegation fight, having finished last in the Super Premier Division, with 11 points and just two wins out of 22 games.

Promotion hopefuls Irvine Meadow XI proved too tough a test for Lie, who were defeated 2-0 in the second-leg of the relegation play-off tie last Friday at Dunterlie Park, to go down 4-1 on aggregate.

Ogilvie and no one contacted at the club was available for a comment, but a statement on Lie’s Facebook page following his departure read: “Following discussions between the committee and management team, Arthurlie tonight announce the resignation of Billy Ogilvie as team manager, along with assistant Lee Mitchell.

“The club would like to thank Billy and Lee for their commitment and efforts in what has been a challenging season.We wish them both all the best for the future.

“The club will make a further announcement regarding the managerial position in due course.”

Lie were 2-1 down heading into Friday night’s game with Meadow after a frustrating first leg.

Striker Marc McKenzie was starved of decent service and bullied by defenders twice his size, but he showed why he is rated as one of the best forwards in junior football by stepping up and curling a free-kick past Shaun Newman to hand Arthurlie a lifeline in the last minute.

However, in the return leg at home there was only going to be one winner and it was sad to see an Arthurlie side give up their top league status so easily against Meadow.

Three minutes into the second leg and Irvine showed their intent with Willet testing Grant Hay, who touched the effort past for a corner.  But that was sent in to the head of Begley, who powered it past a helpless Hay.

Arthurlie’s first effort didn’t come until 23 minutes when Marc McKenzie and Hal Bohme combined, with the latter testing Newman in the visitors goal.

Whatever they tried Arthurlie just could not  create anything or get into the game and they went in at the break a goal down on the night and 3-1 behind on aggregate.

A couple of early corners in the second half came to nothing and it was Meadow who went further ahead in 57 minutes when a free-kick into the box from McKay saw the Arthurlie defence ball watching and Boyd needed no second invitation as he lashed it home to put the tie beyond doubt.

Hay did well to deny Carson and right on full time Willett saw a great effort come back off the post. With that Arthurlie’s stay in the top division came to an end.

Arthurlie will look to regroup over the short summer break and get themselves back in the top flight at the first attempt.

Attacking midfielder Jordan Craig has also left the club in the wake of relegation and the club’s friendly with Johnstone Burgh scheduled for July 14 has been cancelled.