JOHNSTONE Burgh co-manager Colin Smith believes his side’s second-half display against Irvine Meadow shows his side can compete with anyone on their day.

Irvine Meadow are two divisions above Burgh and the Premier League side were big favourites for the West of Scotland Cup clash at Keanie Park on Saturday.

They lived up to that billing early on, going in at half time 4-0 to the good.

However, Burgh mounted a comeback with a brace of goals from Jack Heron and a Sean Fitzharris strike making it 4-3 and an unlikely comeback was suddenly on the cards.

The Medda were rocked further when Michael Keenan was sent off for headbutting Stephen McGarrigle.

However, it was the visitors who found the next goal and Jason Hardie’s goal wouldn’t be enough for Burgh, but Smith was nevertheless delighted with his side’s second-half display.

He said: “When you go four down against a Premier League team you are really just thinking about keeping it respectable.

“We asked the boys for a reaction and to stand up and be counted and that’s what they did. We made a real game of it in the second half and on another day we could have won the game.

“Irvine Meadow have a new manager, their tails would have been up to try and impress Davie Greig. With the players we have, they have shown that on their day they can compete with anyone."

“I think the second half proved that, they are two divisions above us so there is no disgrace getting beat by a goal.”

Smith admits the cup exit might be a blessing in disguise as the Keanie Park side can now focus on securing their Central District First status.

And the club are hopeful of adding former Clydebank striker Ross Harvie to their squad.

Smith said: “We’re speaking to Ross Harvie at the moment. Hopefully we can add him to the squad."

so we’re hopefully that he’ll come in to train and sign with us.

“He would a good bit to our firepower up front.”