Johnstone Burgh and Beith Juniors shared the points as they played out a 1-1 draw at a warm and sunny Keanie Park, Johnstone.

Burgh interim manager Graeme Ramage made three changes from the team that lost 2-0 to Troon at Keanie Park on Wednesday night. Out went Craig Menzies, Ben Mullen and Kyle Lafferty, and in came Matty Grant, Aiden Gilmartin and Sam McGarva who was making his first start for the senior team.

Beith Juniors made a dream start by taking the lead in the 3rd minute. Scott Forrester passed the ball back to Luke Scullion, who completely miss-kicked the ball to allow Liam McGonigle a simple finish as he rolled the ball into the net from 8 yards.

Beith had a great chance to double their lead in the 8th minute. Scott Forrester allowed the ball to go through to Liam McGonigle, who only had Luke Scullion to beat, but his left foot shot from around 10 yards was brilliantly saved by the Burgh number 1.

It had been a slow start for Johnstone Burgh, but they came close to levelling the match on the half hour mark. Aaron Mason showed good play on the left wing, then put a fine cross into the box which found Aiden Gilmartin, but his powerful header from 8 yards hit the crossbar.

Beith had another great chance to double their lead in the 33rd minute as Liam McGonigle whipped in a brilliant cross from the right hand side which found Thomas Collins, but his downward header from 6 yards somehow went over the crossbar.

Beith Juniors went into the half time break 1-0 up.

Half time: 0-1

Beith had a good chance to score their second goal of the afternoon in the 48th minute. Tommy Sharp was in on goal, but Luke Scullion did well to save his close range effort.

In the 56th minute, Johnstone Burgh were awarded a penalty. Kian Gilday showed determination to get on the end of the long ball and was fouled by on-rushing Beith goalkeeper Charlie Cowie just inside the box. Up stepped Blair Rossiter to slot the ball into the left hand corner of the net in the 57th minute, scoring him his 20th goal of the season

In the 68th minute, Beith Juniors and former Burgh man Ross Smith had the chance to put the away side ahead, but his low left foot shot from 12 yards went wide of the right hand post.

Johnstone Burgh were on the search for their second goal, and came close in the 78th minute. Kyle Lafferty's first time left foot shot from 20 yards was brilliantly tipped past the right hand post by Cowie. A minute later it was former Rangers striker Lafferty who came close again, but his left foot volley from 8 yards was once again superbly kept out by Cowie.

The Burgh were the team looking more likely to score, and came extremely close through the efforts of Darren Christie as his powerful first time right foot shot looked to be heading for the top right hand corner the net, but the ball went just wide of the right hand post via a slight deflection in the 84th minute.

Jude Cummins had a half chance for the home side in the 87th minute, but his low right foot from the edge of the box was saved by Cowie.

In the 90th minute the Burgh had their best chance of the match when Kyle Lafferty showed some skillful play just inside the left hand side of the box before putting in a brilliant cross that found Jude Cummins, but with the goal at his mercy, he could only head the ball just wide of the right hand post from 6 yards.

The 4 minutes of added time had no further chances for either team, and the game would end all square.

Following this afternoon's result, Johnstone Burgh remain in 4th place, on 44 points with 26 matches played.

Full time: 1-1

Johnstone Burgh FC goal: Rossiter (pen) 57

Beith Juniors FC goal: McGonigle 3

Man Of The Match: Blair Rossiter

Starting XI: Scullion, Grant (Watson 73) Gilday, Forrester, McDonald (Mullen 63), Esplin (C), Mason (Cummins 58), Faulds, Gilmartin (Lafferty 73), Rossiter, McGarva (Christie 58)

A big thank you to the supporters of both Johnstone Burgh and Beith Juniors for attending today's match at Keanie Park.

Next up for Johnstone Burgh is a trip to Hannah Park to face Shotts Bon Accord in the WoSFL Premier Division on Saturday 2nd May. Kick off is at 2pm.

©Match Report: John
©Images: Iain, Graham