A well below par Johnstone Burgh suffered their third straight defeat in the last six days, as they lost 2-0 to Beith Juniors at a chilly Bellsdale Park, Meadowside, Beith.

Burgh manager Murdo MacKinnon made two changes from the starting 11 that lost 2-0 to Pollok on Saturday, with Ian McShane coming in for Stuart Faulds and Kyle Lafferty for the suspended Allan MacKenzie.

The first chance of the evening came for Kyle Lafferty after eight minutes. Lafferty was making his first start for the club since the 2-1 win away to Troon on the 20th December. The big striker created himself a good opening on the left, but his well struck shot from 20 yards was saved by Beith goalkeeper Archie Aitchison.

Beith Juniors then had a good chance after 13 minutes when Tommy Sharp controlled a good cross from the left, eight yards from goal, in the centre of the box. However, his shot was brilliantly blocked by Cammy Eadie.

Kyle Lafferty came close to giving the Burgh the lead in the 23rd minute. The former Northern Ireland international intercepted an attempted headed pass back to Beith goalkeeper Aitchison in the left side of the box, but could only find the side netting from a tight angle six yards from goal.

Both sides were struggling to create clear cut chances, and the final chance of the half would come for Beith after 34 minutes. The lively Tommy Sharp had a sight of goal from eight yards but once again Cammy Eadie was there to make a brilliant block from his powerful shot, to divert the ball behind for a corner kick

The first half would end goalless.

Half time: 0-0

Burgh manager MacKinnon made a change at half time with Leon Murphy replacing Aaron Mason.

Beith Juniors would take the lead in the 48th minute as Liam McGonigle produced a fantastic pass from his own half to Thomas Collins, who then timed his run perfectly to take the ball past Burgh number 1 Luke Scullion, 20 yards from goal and then rolled the ball into the empty net from 10 yards.

In the 53rd minute, Burgh's Kyle Lafferty tried a spectacular effort on goal from eight yards, in the centre of the box, but couldn't get the connection required to trouble Beith goalkeeper Aitchison.

Just three minutes later, Beith had three efforts on goal in quick succession inside the box, but Luke Scullion and the Burgh defence held firm.

It was becoming a very frustrating night for Johnstone Burgh, which led to Murdo MacKinnon making three further changes on the hour mark with Scott Forrester, Stuart Faulds and Aidan Gilmartin coming on, and Lewis King, Del Esplin and Broque Watson going off.

In the 68th minute, Aidan Gilmartin had the Burgh's best chance of the second half. The young striker showed great determination down the left hand side, but was unlucky to see his right foot shot, from just inside the box, go just over the crossbar.

Johnstone Burgh would make their final change of the night, with a product of the under 20s Development squad, Nico Gallagher, coming on to replace Blair Rossiter in the 72nd minute.

Kyle Lafferty had a half chance from the middle of the box from around eight yards, but couldn't find the target. His shot went over the crossbar with just eight minutes of normal time remaining.

A miserable night for Johnstone Burgh was all but complete, as Beith Juniors would score their second goal of the match to secure the three points in the 85th minute. A long throw for Beith down the right hand side, came off the head of Cammy Eadie, who helped divert the ball straight to Thomas Collins, who then ran in on goal to produce a ruthless right foot finish into the net from around 10 yards, claiming his second goal of the evening.

The final chance of the match fell to Stuart Faulds in the second minute of added time, but his powerful strike just outside the box would end up well off target.

Beith Juniors would see out the final few minutes of added time to secure a well deserved 2-0 win.

After tonight's defeat, Johnstone Burgh remain in 9th place, on 24 points, with 14 matches played.

Full time: 2-0

Beith Juniors FC goals: Collins 48, 85

Starting XI: Scullion, King (Forrester 60), Gilday, Eadie, O'Neill, McShane, Mason (Murphy 46), Esplin (C) (Faulds 60), Lafferty, Rossiter (Gallagher 72), Watson (Gilmartin 60)

Man of the match: Kyle Lafferty

A big thank you, as always to our dedicated and loyal Johnstone Burgh supporters, who attended tonight's match at Bellsdale Park.

Next up for Johnstone Burgh is Arthurlie at Keanie Park, in the WoSFL Premier Division on Saturday 7th March. Kick off is at 2pm.