Johnstone Burgh snatched defeat from the jaws of victory as they lost 3-2 to Renfrew FC in an incredible match under the lights at Keanie Park.

Johnstone Burgh manager Murdo MacKinnon made one change from the starting XI that beat Rutherglen Glencairn  3-1 on Saturday, with Matty Grant coming in for Lewis King.

Renfrew almost opened the scoring in the 1st minute as Dominic Innes cut the ball back to Aiden Malcolm, but his right foot shot from 6 yards went wide of the left hand post.

The away side came even closer to scoring in the 5th minute. Aiden Malcolm did well to control the ball then produced a fine shot on the turn from around 10 yards, but this was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by Luke Scullion.

Renfrew were well on top, and created another good chance in the 15th minute when Dominic Innes found himself a good opening, but his shot from 14 yards was well saved by Scullion.

It seemed only a matter of time before Renfrew would open the scoring, and they came close yet again in the 22nd minute. Dominic Innes looked certain to score, but his right foot shot from 8 yards was brilliantly blocked by Malky McDonald.

The first half was one way traffic in Renfrew's favour and the chances kept on coming. Sean Fyfe looked certain to put the away side in front in the 27th minute, but his left foot shot from 8 yards was yet again brilliantly kept out by Luke Scullion.

The goal that Renfrew deserved came in the 31st minute. Dominic Innes made a great run down the left channel, then put a brilliant ball across the face of goal to Aiden Malcolm, who made no mistake as he tapped the ball into the net from around 2 yards.

In the 36th minute, Renfrew almost scored a goal direct from a corner kick. Dominic Innes in-swinging corner from the right, crashed off the right hand post.

"The Frew" went on to score their second goal of the night in the 40th minute. Dominic Innes' corner from the left hand side was headed into the net from 6 yards by David McCallum.

In what was a first half to forget for Johnstone Burgh, they had a good chance to pull a goal back in the 45th minute. Aiden Gilmartin showed, strength and power to create himself and opening, but his left foot shot from 18 yards went over the crossbar.

The final chance of the half came for Renfrew. Sean Fyfe had a sight of goal from around 14 yards, but his right foot shot was well blocked by Scott Forrester.

Half time: 0-2

The Burgh made 2 changes at half time, with Blair Rossiter and Stuart Faulds coming on for Nicholas Gallagher and Ian McShane.

In the 55th minute, Johnstone Burgh had a good chance to score from around 22 yards from a direct free kick, but Blair Rossiter's left foot strike was well saved by Jack Donohoe.

In the 56th minute, Renfrew came extremely close to scoring goal number 3 when a brilliant counter attack left the Burgh defence in real trouble. Aiden Malcolm squared the ball to Dominic Innes, who only had Luke Scullion to beat, but his left foot shot from 10 yards hit the top of the crossbar. A huge relief for the home side.

The Burgh were pushing hard to pull a goal back and finally came close in the 62nd minute. The ball fell to Aiden Gilmartin at the back post, but his left foot shot from 8 yards was well blocked by Connor Cameron.

The elusive goal would finally come for Johnstone Burgh in the 76th minute. Blair Rossiter passed the ball from the left hand side of the box to Broque Watson, who controlled the ball brilliantly, then from 10 yards produced a clinical right foot finish into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Broque Watson almost scored his second goal of the night in the 80th minute but his powerful header from 6 yards, following a Blair Rossiter corner kick, was somehow kept out by Renfrew goalkeeper Jack Donahoe.

Just a minute later, the Burgh came close again. Aiden Gilmartin's left foot shot from 12 yards was well saved by the impressive Donahoe.

Johnstone Burgh were throwing everything at the Renfrew defence and looked to have got the equaliser in the 83rd minute. Jude Cummins did well to lay the ball off to Kyle Lafferty, who seen his brilliant curling left foot shot from 25 yards superbly saved by Donohoe.

In the 84th minute it was a minor miracle that the Burgh didn't equalise. Firstly Kyle Lafferty seen his first time volley from 8 yards, brilliantly saved by Donahoe. The rebound then fell to Jude Cummins, who's close range effort was somehow saved yet again by the outstanding Renfrew number 1.

In the 86th minute, the equaliser came for Johnstone Burgh. Jude Cummins found himself in on goal, and showed calmess to finish from close range to score his first goal for the senior team, after his initial attempt was saved. Congratulations Jude.

In the 5th minute of added time, it looked like the Burgh were going to score the goal, that were going to claim them all 3 points. Kyle Lafferty showed great determination to create himself an opening, and with just Donahoe to beat, his left foot shot from the edge of the box went just wide of the right hand post, much to the despair of the home support.

As the game looked to be heading for a draw, Renfrew produced one final attack in the 96th minute. The ball came into the box, but it looked like the chance had gone. However, an error from Malky McDonald allowed the ball to fall to Aiden Malcolm who fired the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the net from 10 yards, to claim all 3 points and spark jubilant scenes in the the Renfrew dugout and technical area.

Renfrew seen out the last few seconds of the match to secure a 3-2 victory.

Following tonight's result, Johnstone Burgh remain in 6th place, on 40 points, after 23 matches played.

Full time: 2-3

Johnstone Burgh FC goals: Watson, 76, Cummins 86

Renfrew FC goals: Malcolm 31, 90+6, McCallum 40

Man Of The Match: Luke Scullion

Starting XI: Scullion, Grant (Menzies 82), MacKinnon, Forrester, McDonald, McShane ( Faulds 46), Christie (Lafferty 58), Esplin (C), Gilmartin (Cummins 82), Watson, Gallagher (Rossiter 46)

A big thank you to both the Johnstone Burgh and Renfrew supporters for attending tonight's match at Keanie Park.

Next up for the Burgh is Shotts Bon Accord in the WoSFL Premier Division at Keanie Park on Saturday 18th April. Kick off is at 2pm.

©Match Report: John
©Images: Mitch, Graham, Iain