JOHNSTONE Burgh suffered late cup heartbreak as an 85th-minute penalty dumped them out of the Scottish Junior Cup to East Region Premier high-flyers Broughty Athletic last Saturday in a 2-1 defeat.

The Dundee side arrived at Keanie Park as heavy favourites after a strong start to the season in the East Region’s top flight.

Burgh have had contrasting fortunes in recent weeks after crashing out of the West of Scotland Cup at the hands of Central District Second Division strugglers Royal Albert and an 8-0 humbling at Cambuslang Rangers.

Burgh fans might have feared a repeat after wondered if they were in for another embarrassing day with eight minutes when on the clock Danny Cavanagh cut inside an fired a 20-yard strike into the back of the net.

But Burgh were more dogged than they had been in recent weeks and competed well with their much-fancied opponents.The Keanie Park side got a deserved leveller in the 65th minute as an error by defender Jay Smart saw him lose possession near the corner flag, it was crossed low into the box and Jack Heron knocked past Ross in the goal.

The winner came from the. Ryan Blair was adjudged to have been brought down in the box, and the penalty was awarded despite protests from the home players and officials. Jamie McCunnie did the rest by slamming the ball into the back of the net.