THE future of Raith Rovers manager Barry Smith will be discussed at a board meeting on Monday following the Fifers' failure to win promotion.
The Stark's Park outfit crashed out of the Championship play-offs on Saturday, with their 2-1 defeat against Alloa sealing a chastening 4-1 aggregate exit against a Wasps side that finished 15 points behind them in the League 1 standings.
The fallout was immediate as chairman Alan Young quit less than an hour after the full-time whistle, calling time on his four-year stint at the helm and surrendering his position as a director.
The 64-year-old, who also oversaw the ill-fated appointments of Gary Locke and John Hughes, took "full responsibility" for Rovers' latest flop.
He stated: “I have tendered my resignation as chairman of Raith Rovers. I have also resigned as a director. I take full responsibility for our failure to return to the Championship this year and would wish the club all success for the future.”
Meanwhile, there is uncertainty surrounding Smith's own position.
The former Dundee and East Fife manager is contracted to the club until the summer of 2019 and, following their defeat against the Wasps, he emphasised his belief that he was the right man to guide Raith to promotion next term.
However, Smith acknowledged that the decision will ultimately be made by the club following talks at Stark's Park on Monday.
The first order of business will be to appoint a new chair to lead the club, before discussions turn to whether the remaining directors – including owner John Sim – still have faith in Smith and the budgets for next season.
As the gloom descended on the Raith faithful, it was onwards and upwards for Alloa as they prepare to face Dumbarton in the Championship play-off final.
And for Jordan Kirkpatrick, the prospect of another promotion party is tantalisingly close.
The Alloa midfielder has already enjoyed one unforgettable promotion celebration this season after soaking up every moment of the party atmosphere when his parent club, St Mirren, lifted the Championship trophy.
Rather than sate his hunger for silverware, though, it has only served to whet his appetite for more glory with the Wasps.
Kirkpatrick, who made 15 appearances for the Buddies in the first half of the campaign, joined the Clackmannanshire club on loan in January and has emerged as a pivotal figure, with his stunning free-kick against Raith Rovers taking his tally to six goals since his arrival.
Another front-man borrowed from St Mirren, Ross Stewart, secured the 2-1 triumph following Euan Murray's leveller to send Alloa through to 4-1 on aggregate.
The Championship play-off final will now pitch Kirkpatrick against his former employers, Dumbarton, and the festivities in Paisley last month as Buddies supporters packed the stadium then the streets of Paisley to toast the title, are spurring him on.
“I was there on the day when St Mirren lifted the trophy and it was an incredible experience for all the boys,” said Kirkpatrick.
“I’ve never been part of anything like that and the crowd that turned out in the stadium and in Paisley was unreal.
“It just whets your appetite and makes you want to be a part of something like that.
“It would be great to put my own stamp on a promotion and get one at Alloa.”
Kirkpatrick and fellow Saints loan star Stewart are contracted to the Buddies until the summer of 2019 and will attempt to stake their claim to be part of their Premiership campaign when they return in pre-season.
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