By Dean Robertson WITH the sun splitting the sky and not a cloud in sight Keanie Park was the perfect place for football this past Saturday.

Port Glasgow were the visitors as Johnstone Burgh played host for their latest game in the Sectional League Cup.

However, although the sun had its hat on, it appeared no one brought their shooting boots as the tie fizzled out to an underwhelming 0-0 draw.

It turned out to be an especially disappointing day for Burgh as failure to get three points means it is mathematically impossible for them to advance from the group stages. The draw leaves them with a solitary point and rock bottom of the table.

The game got off to a slow start as both sides took time to settle and this was evident as it took 20 minutes for either keeper to be called into action.

Port Glasgow had the first effort at goal when some scrappy defending from the hosts gifted the Inverclyde side a free-kick just outside the box.

Sean Lawrence leaped to get his head to Craig McCormick’s set piece but Burgh’s Gavin Wallace got down in time to tip the ball around the post.

There was little let off for the hosts as Port Glasgow took control of the match. Port were finding a number of opportunities in the Burgh half but failed to trouble the home side’s backline.

With time running out in the first half Burgh continued to wrestle for control of the game, however they failed to make their possession count as both side’s went in level.

There was still time left for some drama and the Keanie Park side were left thanking their lucky stars. A poor challenge from Greig Barr left Port Glasgow’s Kevin McKay lying injured, the defender was only shown a yellow card for the tackle that would have drawn no complaints had the card been of the red variety.

Half-time: Johnstone Burgh 0-0 Port Glasgow Into the second half and Burgh had 45 minutes to save their Sectional League Cup campaign.

The hosts got the match restarted but it was Port Glasgow that looked the more likely to open the scoring. An embarrassing miss from Steven McAfree kept the scores level when the visitors really should have been in front.

After the hour mark the game settled into a more even pattern as both sides pushed for the opener. Burgh came closest through Sean Fitharris, who’s well struck free-kick beat the keeper but also rattled the bar to extend the home side’s frustration.

Both sides pushed forward in the dying moments but neither could find a goal and the game finished all square.