JOHNSTONE Burgh signed off the season in style as they held Gartcairn to a thrilling 3-3 draw at Keanie Park – thwarting the visitors’ hopes of title glory in the process.

A double from youngster Euan East and a measured finish from Ryan Fitzpatrick had the Burgh dreaming of a memorable victory as they raced into a 3-1 lead.  

But three games in a week for Jamie McKim’s young side took their toll as Gartcairn fought back to leave Johnstone with a point.

Despite this, club treasurer Brian Williams hailed the result as Burgh’s best performance of the season and revenge for the 8-0 reverse Burgh suffered when the sides last met in January.    

He said: “It was a fantastic game of football. Both sides went for the victory from the off.  

“They obviously needed a win to secure the title, but like any team, we didn’t want to see a side coming to our patch and winning the league.  

“It ended up being our best performance of the season, especially when you consider how strong Gartcairn have been and how easily they have beaten so many sides.”   

The draw proved a thrilling end to an up and down season for the Burgh, whose poor form earlier in the year led to the resignations of co-managers Davy Brolly and Colin Smith.  

Jamie McKim was appointed in January and helped to steady the ship with the club losing only one game in their last five and finishing a respectable eighth in the table.   

Williams believes the club will be looking up the table when the players return following their terrific end of season form.  

He added: “I’m disappointed the season is over, and really looking forward to the next one getting under way. If you look at the current squad that finished the season, there were only four players who started it as Jamie overhauled the team to bring in young, hungry players. 

“It will be a bigger league next season due to restructuring, so there will be more games to look forward to and I think the manager has set the target of winning the league.  

“He is used to winning and we as a committee need to do everything we can to support them.”