Johnstone Burgh secured all 3 points in a match that had a dramatic ending to say the least, on a cold crisp late November afternoon at Barrfields Stadium in Largs.

The Burgh created the first chance of the match after 6 minutes, when Lewis King's powerful header from 10 yards was well saved by Largs goalkeeper O'Connor. Just 4 minutes later the Burgh had their 2nd chance of the match, but Darren Christie's well struck shot from 20 yards was again saved by O'Connor.

The Burgh would take the lead in the 26th minute through Captain Danny O'Neill. Blair Rossiter's free kick from the left hand side was met with the head of Lewis King from 8 yards, who forced a great save from O'Connor, but Burgh's O'Neill was on hand to tap the ball into the net from barely a yard out to put the Burgh 1-0 ahead.

The last 20 minutes of the first half was largely uneventful other than a couple of promising attacks from Largs Thistle, but the Burgh defence held firm to secure a 1-0 lead at the break.

Half Time: 0-1

Largs Thistle started the 2nd half brightly and would level the match in the 49th minute. After fine wing play and a perfect cross, Largs Thistle's Jamie Martin produced a fine volleyed finish at the back post from 12 yards out into the bottom left hand corner, leaving Burgh goalkeeper Luke Scullion with no chance.

A minute later Blair Rossiter had a half chance to put the Burgh back into the lead, but his well struck shot from 10 yards was well saved by O'Connor. Rossiter would again come close after fine play in the box by Aidan Gilmartin, but his low shot from the edge of the box crept past the left hand post in the 58th minute.

Halfway through the 2nd half, the Johnstone side would again come close to regaining the lead. Fine play from Aaron Mason created a great chance for Aidan Gilmartin in the middle of the box but he blazed his shot high over the bar from 12 yards out.

With just 4 minutes of regulation time to play, Largs came close to taking the lead, but a header from just 8 yards out was blocked on the line by Burgh's Danny O'Neill.

In a game that was largely without any major incidents, the Burgh's Malky McDonald was given a straight red card in the 88th minute for what looked a fairly contested 50/50 tackle with the Largs Thistle player. His only crime was he didn't come off 2nd best much to the dismay of the player himself and the Burgh management team.

As the match entered injury time, former Largs Thistle Captain Stuart Faulds had a good chance to score the Burgh's 2nd goal of the afternoon, but his well struck shot from 25 yards flew just over the bar.

In the 95th minute, and with just 10 seconds left to play, the Burgh forced one final corner kick which led to a goaline scramble and the award of a penalty kick to the Burgh, much to the dismay of the home fans as well as the Largs Thistle players and management team. After a 2 minute delay, Burgh's Blair Rossiter was the man left with the chance to secure all 3 points from the penalty spot and "The Johnstone Pirlo" duly delivered as he fired the ball past O'Connor into the right hand corner of the net m. This proved to be the last kick of the match sending the away fans and Burgh bench into a frenzy which mirrored the scenes of that warm, sunny, Sunday afternoon in the middle of May earlier in the year, when the Burgh secured a 2-0 win at Barrfields Stadium to secure their place in the Scottish Junior Cup Final, which they would go on to win.

Full Time: 1-2

Goals: O'Neill (26), Rossiter (90+7 pen)

Red Card: Malky McDonald (88)

Starting XI: Scullion, King, Gilday, Eadie, O'Neill (C), Faulds, Christie (Murphy 71), McShane (McDonald 71), Gilmartin (MacKenzie 71), Rossiter, Mason

Man Of The Match: Stuart Faulds

Johnstone Burgh move up to 8th place in the table to go on to 15 points after 8 games played.

© Match Report Courtesy of John Armour

© Photos Courtesy of Mitch, Iain & Graham