JOHNSTONE Burgh boss Jamie McKim admits his players are hurting as they suffered back-to-back defeats in the last seven days. 

The Keanie Park side were beaten by Whitletts Victoria 2-1 at home on Wednesday before losing 4-3 against Craigmark Burntonians on Saturday. 

Ricky McArthur got Burgh off to a flyer during the week with a penalty but the visitors hit back through Marc Dyer and Kieran McLaughlin. 

On Saturday, Burgh fell behind twice but responded through McArthur from the spot and Phil Lee’s mazy run and finish before the home side regained their lead with a quick fire double before the break. 

McKim’s side pulled a goal back in the opening stages of the second-half as Danny McBeth forced the ball over the line but they could not find an equaliser. 

Losing two on the bounce is not a feeling that McKim is used to having brought nothing but success to the club since his appointment in 2018 and he is keen to see how his players will respond. 

Speaking to Gazette Sport, he said: “It’s an unusual feeling for us. Back-to-back defeats is something we haven’t had to deal with for a long, long time.

“This group of players hasn’t experienced this. We experienced it as a coaching team early on when we were just in the door and didn’t have our own squad in and it was difficult times.

“The thing we’re looking for is the reaction. We’re still a top side and we just need to turn it around.

“I can see in the dressing room and see on the bus after the game, if everyone was fine and content and laughing and joking then I’d be concerned but the players are hurting and I can see it so I’m sure we will get a response. 

“I’m not criticising the boys for the last two games because they have given us everything. We lost some poor goals on Saturday but it wasn’t down to a lack of effort.” 

Burgh will be looking to get back to winning ways against Glasgow University at Keanie Park this evening, kick-off at 7:30pm, before they welcome Forfar West End in the First Round of the Scottish Junior Cup on Saturday with the game getting under way at 2:30pm. 

McKim revealed he has been using his contacts to get the lowdown on Saturday’s opponents. 

He added: “I know people who work at two of the clubs in Forfar’s league so they have been helping me out.”