Johnstone Burgh manager Jamie McKim praised his players for their battling qualities after they earned a 2-1 win at Blantyre Victoria on Saturday.

Jamie Bowman had put the home side ahead at the KG Stadium with a quarter of an hour played but that was cancelled out when Dale Simeon slotted the ball into the Blantyre net eight minutes later.

The score remained even until the closing stages before Hamish McKinlay latched on to Stuart McCann’s flicked header and fired home to secure all three points.

The match had all the makings of a potential banana skin for Burgh as they faced an on-form promotion rival on a heavy surface at a difficult venue – and McKim believes the victory says a lot about his team.

He told Gazette Sport: “It was such a tough game. They are a good side and it’s a tough venue.

“There wasn’t much quality in the game but the moments we had won it for us.

“I said to the players before the game it wasn’t just about going down and showing their talent, it was about their attitude and what they are all about as a person.

“We had to show that we can do more than just play, we had to battle and show our other qualities and that’s what we done.

“It was so tough but those types of wins can galvanize you and bring you together and stand us in good stead going forward.

“I’m delighted with the boys and they deserve so much credit. They are all brilliant football players but, on Saturday, they showed their team spirit and we got what we deserved.”

Burgh are back at Keanie Park this weekend as they host Cambuslang Rangers, with McKim warning his players they need to be winning home games against teams at the foot of the table just as much as earning victories on the road against fellow title-chasers.

He added: “Cambuslang were beating us for a large spell of the game last time, so it will be difficult for us. They are a good team with lots of quality.

“We’re in a good spot at the moment, there’s a wee buzz at training and, if the guys can keep going the way they are, we will have a successful second part of the season.”

Kick-off on Saturday is at 1.30pm.