JOHNSTONE BURGH fought back from two goals down to salvage a draw against Wishaw at Keanie Park on Saturday writes Josh Howells.

Burgh co-managers Colin Smith and David Brolly praised their side’s character after the comeback which keeps Burgh bottom of the Central District First Division but closes the gap to two points.

Wishaw applied a great deal of pressure in the Johnstone midfield, preventing the home side from producing anything in the final third for most of the match.

Wishaw scored twice in a first half they fully controlled, Smillie and McCafferty found the net and the away side went in at half-time with confidence whilst frustration was visible on the Johnstone players.

Whatever was said by Smith and Brolly at the break had the desired effect as the game turned in dramatic style as Burgh fired home twice in dramatic style.

Burgh's first goal came after 61 minutes with a sensational chip over the goalkeeper by Hewitt.

Burgh made their final substitution a minute later with McGonigle coming on for Fitzpatrick, a change that opened up the game for the home side on the left wing.

In the final 10 minutes of the game, despite constant pressure and fast paced counter attacks, Chris Docherty knocked in the hosts' equaliser from a free kick.

Smith said: “In the first half, a lot of guys didn’t want the ball, didn’t know what to do with it.

“Overall, first half performance we were unhappy with it. We told them that at half time. We were 2-0 down and it could have been three or four.”

Brolly was keen to take the positives, saying: “We went out, asked the team to work hard and we feel like they’ve done that. Another positive is we never lost. We’ve gained a point and that’s a point in the right direction. That’s something to build on next week.”

The draw ended a run of four defeats in a row for Burgh and they are still six points from safety.

Burgh travel to relegation rivals Greenock on Saturday, kick-off 1.45pm.