Jimmy Kirkwood hopes the capture of towering defender Stephen Bronsky can slam the door shut on Troon’s leaky defence.
Double silver winner Bronsky, who won the Scottish and West Cups with Darvel, has moved to Portland Park from Gartcairn for an undisclosed fee.
And gaffer Kirkwood believes the 30-year-old former Dumbarton player, who began his career with Clyde before 165 senior appearances, will be a key addition.
Kirkwood claimed: “He’s a very sensible signing for us, his experience and quality gives us another option at the back.
“We’ve been looking carefully at where we are at this stage of the season. It’s great to see we’re top scorers in the league, based on goals per game, but we’ve conceded the seventh most goals which tells you straight away where we need to tighten up.
“Stephen is in his prime years but will bring a commanding presence at set-plays in both boxes and in open play which will complement some of the players we have well.”
Troon entertain Lochee United in the last 32 of the Scottish Junior Cup on Saturday hoping to bounce back from a 2-1 South Challenge Cup defeat by Arthurlie which ended an eight game unbeaten run.
Trailing to a Lee Roulston double at the break, they managed a frantic last 20 minutes after Nathan Baird pulled a goal back. But a first defeat since September 7 couldn’t be prevented.
AUCHINLECK head to unbeaten Premier leaders Clydebank in the game of the day after a Connor Boyd goal dumped Cumbernauld United and sealed a last 16 place in the Challenge Cup.
CUMNOCK kept their nerve in a penalty shootout to beat Drumchapel United 4-2 after a 1-1 draw. Dylan Dykes struck right on the interval but David Hopkirk equalised early in the second-half.
Into penalties and Dykes, Dan Higgins, Benji Wright and Robbie Buchanan were on target while Blair Currie was a hero keeper.
GLENAFTON visit Gartcairn in the Premier looking for a fourth league win.
MAYBOLE had Scott Paterson to thank for a point after his spectacular finish knocked out Sam McLoy’s goal for Kilbirnie. The Ladywell side are fifth in the First Division, five points behind leaders Arthurlie, but have played two games more.
CRAIGMARK are still chasing only a second league win, after falling 1-0 to Bellshill for their eleventh defeat in 12 games. Goalie Ewan Henderson was ‘Mark’s man of the match.
LUGAR entertain Larkhall in the Scottish Junior Cup but were denied by a last gasp equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Wishaw after Nathan Murray had fired the visitors ahead.
GIRVAN travel to Glasgow United in the Third Division after striking late for a 1-1 draw against Irvine Vics.
David Smith put the visitors ahead before being quickly sent off. Girvan’s Antonio Sisi also saw red but that didn’t stop Adam Stevenson pouncing at the death for a point.
FIXTURES: Saturday, November 23: Premier: Hurlford v St Cadoc’s; Clydebank v Auchinleck; Gartcairn v Glenafton; First Div: Blantyre v Irvine Meadow; Second Div: Bellshill v Bonnyton; Muirkirk v Lesmahagow; Third Div: Ardeer v Threave; Glasg Utd v Girvan; Fourth Div: Campbeltown v Kello; Royal Albert v Eglinton; Scottish Junior Cup: Winton v Bo’ness Utd (Tues 19th); Irvine Meadow v West Calder (Wed 20th); Arthurlie v Darvel; Dundee EC v Largs; Lugar v Larkhall; Montrose Rose v Beith; Vale of Leven v Johnstone; Benburb v Hermes; Drumchapel v Burghead; Easterhouse v Kilbirnie; Pollok v Cumbernauld; Troon v Lochee Utd; South Challenge Cup: Shotts v Kilwinning.