Johnstone Burgh secured three points after a hard fought 2-1 win over top-of-the-table Troon, at a cold but sunny Portland Park, Troon.

The Burgh had the first chance of the match through Aaron Mason, but the winger fired well wide of the left hand post, 20 yards from goal after four minutes. Mason then had his second chance of the afternoon in the ninth minute, but his powerful shot from 14 yards flew just over the bar. The Burgh number 11 will feel he should have scored.

The next twenty minutes or so were pretty uneventful before Burgh striker Kyle Lafferty came close to scoring, but his shot from six yards was well blocked by the Troon defender following Blair Rossiter's pass across goal after 32 minutes.

In what was a fairly low key first half with Troon not troubling the Burgh defence, Aaron Mason had the final chance of note for the Johnstone side but his 25 yard shot flew high and wide of the right hand post in the 40th minute. Both teams would go in level at the break.

Half Time: 0-0

The Burgh made a fast start to the second half, and would come close to taking the lead in the 48th minute as Kyle Lafferty brilliantly controlled a high ball to find himself through on goal. However, his low shot from eight yards was well saved by Troon goalkeeper Dale Burgess.

Darren Christie was next to have a chance to score, but his 25 yard shot flew wide of the left hand post in the 50th minute. Just two minutes later, the Burgh would again come close to taking the lead, but Kyle Lafferty headed just over the bar from 10 yards out at the back post.

Despite the Burgh having all the pressure, it would be Troon who would take the lead in the 55th minute. A dangerous corner from the left was whipped to the back post and headed back across the goal, straight to the head of Troon defender Calum Gow who bulleted his header high into the net past Luke Scullion from around seven yards.

Johnstone Burgh came close to levelling the match just three minutes later, but Rossiter's shot from 12 yards out flew wide of the right hand post.

Darren Christie also came close just thirty seconds later, but his looping header from 10 yards was pushed away by Troon goalkeeper Burgess.

The Burgh pressure would finally pay off and they would level the match in the 58th minute through Kyle Lafferty, who was on hand to fire home high into the net from 6 yards, after Stuart Faulds's low shot from 12 yards was blocked by the Troon defence.

As the game settled, Johnstone Burgh would take the lead in the 69th minute as Kyle Lafferty's powerful volley from the edge of the box was brilliantly saved by Burgess, but Danny O'Neill was in the right place at the right time to produce a cool finish from six yards into the bottom left hand corner of the net, much to the delight of the travelling support.

In the 79th minute, Troon came close to levelling the match, but the chance was headed just wide following a dangerous corner from the left.

In the 82nd minute, Burgh striker Ciaran Diver made his first appearance since August following a long term injury, replacing the impressive Kyle Lafferty, which is a sight that every Johnstone Burgh fan will be delighted to see. Welcome back Ciaran.

As the minutes ticked by, the Burgh had to withstand some severe pressure from Troon, who fired several high balls into the box but the Keanie Park side's defence held firm.

One minute into injury time, Troon would have their final chance of the match but the shot was fired wide from a tight angle eight yards from goal. The Burgh would see out the final four minutes of injury time to secure a brilliant three points, moving up to seventh place in the table with 18 points after nine games played.

Full Time: 1-2

Goals: Lafferty (58), O'Neill (69)

Starting XI: Scullion, King, Gilday, Eadie, O'Neill (C), Faulds, McShane, Christie, McShane (Esplin 60), Lafferty (Diver 82), Rossiter, Mason (MacKenzie 74).

Once again a big thank you to the magnificent travelling Johnstone Burgh support who played their part in today's fantastic win. Also a big thank you to Troon FC for their hospitality.

Everyone at Johnstone Burgh would like to wish our fans a very merry Christmas, and we look forward to seeing you all again in 2026.

© Match Report: John Armour
© Photos: Mitch, Graham, Iain