JAMIE McKim was full of praise for his Burgh side after they made it three league wins on the bounce with a hard-fought 2-1 win against Vale of Clyde.

Vice-captain Niall Herron put Johnstone ahead early in the second-half before Vale quickly pegged them back but Keiron Magennis’ last-minute winner ensured Burgh picked up the vital three points as they bounced back from last week’s West of Scotland Cup loss.

Burgh had the better of the chances in a scrappy first 45 in which neither side could find a breakthrough with winger Lee Salisbury the only shining light in an otherwise quiet half.

READ MORE: Johnstone Burgh turn on the style in their ‘best performance of the season’

It looked like it was going to be more of the same after the break with an air of nervousness from both teams but McKim’s side managed to draw first blood when Herron’s bravery shone through as he threw his head into a wall of bodies and feet in the area to get on the end of Salisbury’s drilled cross to put the Burgh one up. 

The visitors rallied well to hit back 15 minutes from time, however, after a foul on the edge of the box allowed Kevin Fraser space to whip it in and find Nick Fraser who directed it into the top corner.

The Gazette:

Jamie McKim (centre) was delighed at his side's performance 

Both sides pushed for the winner in a frantic final 10 minutes that threw up more chances than the entire first-half. 

And it was Burgh who went on to clinch the win three minutes into added time after Mitchell MacDonald floated in a perfect ball to find Magennis who nodded home.

And McKim was over the moon with his side’s desire as they nicked the last-minute winner which saw them put three successive wins together for the first time this season. 

He said: “It’s brilliant to get back on a good run. We went through a blip for a few weeks where we didn’t do too well so for us to come back from that and put together three wins on the bounce in the league is excellent - especially in the manner we got it. We kept on pushing forward so I thought we really deserved the goal. I’m delighted with their attitude.

“Other than giving away a silly goal which allowed them to level, it was a brilliant performance from us. The surface at Keanie Park isn’t great at the moment so we’re unable to keep possession and play with the ball on the ground the way we would like to, but we found a way to win regardless of that which was excellent to see.”

Next up for Burgh now is a double-header against Vale of Leven and McKim has challenged his side to maintain their excellent form and begin climbing the table.

READ MORE: McKim proud of Johnstone Burgh performance against Premiership leaders Hurlford

He added: “I’ve always said that this is one of those leagues that will reward anyone for putting together a wee run. If we can continue our run against Vale in the next couple of weeks, we’ll be right up at the top of the table challenging which really would be brilliant to see.

“It’s a big two weeks for us and it will be tough, though. It’s important to keep going and get ourselves up the table because we deserve it. The boys are all working very hard so we should be up there challenging already. We’ve got a good chance to actually do that now but we just need to continue to very consistent, cut out some silly mistakes and play our own game.”