JAMIE McKim refused to lambast his side after they threw away a two-goal cushion against Annbank on Saturday. 

Burgh were cruising moments after the break after going two up, but they couldn’t see it out to clinch the three points and McKim admits his side need to turn up for the entire 90 minutes if they are going to challenge for the title. 

Free-flowing Johnstone looked impressive as they dominated proceedings in the first 45 with the home side unable to register a single shot on goal.

READ MORE: Johnstone Burgh back to winning ways with superb second half showing against Muirkirk

Burgh’s dominance was rewarded just before the break when Gary Nugent tapped home at the back post after the ball was fizzed across the face of goal. 

And McKim’s men were just as impressive after the break as they doubled their advantage from the spot after Chris Agnew was fouled in the area with Sam Esplin stepping up to put the visitors two up. 

But it was all downhill after that with Annbank hitting back immediately thanks to Alan Orr’s stunning strike from the edge of the area. 

Sloppy defending gifted the Bankies their leveller moments later with winger Lee McClymont easing past two challenges before smashing it beyond Gavin Wallace before the hosts edged ahead in controversial fashion with 10 minutes remaining. A Burgh free-kick rebounded off an Annbank player who was no more than five yards away which allowed them to break on the counter attack to nick the winner despite Burgh protests.

And while McKim acknowledged that his side were the architects of their own downfall with their poor second-half showing, he was quick to praise Burgh’s first-half performance and has demanded more of the same. 

He said: “We were confident of three points after going two up but I did warn the boys not to be complacent. We added to our lead early in the second half and from there you’re even more confident so it’s really disappointing with the way it ended up. 

“We were by far the better side and absolutely dominated the first-half. They never had any chances. We were so comfortable and then we completely stopped playing after going two up. 

“When we start playing like we know we can for the full 90 minutes, we will start battering teams. The football was absolutely incredible in the first-half. I was full of praise at half-time, but once we scored the second, we let it slip which isn’t good enough.”

READ MORE: Johnstone Burgh boss Jamie McKim hails his side after snatching draw

With the majority of their league two rivals in Scottish Junior Cup action this weekend, Burgh now have an extended break and while the players will enjoy their time off, McKim and his coaches will be hard at work doing their homework for their upcoming fixtures. 

“We have given the players Saturday off for a team bonding day and that will let myself and my coaches go out and have a look at our league competition in action,” McKim added. “That kind of work will stand us in good stead for the next few weeks. We’re looking for any advantage we can get so we’re going to watch the teams we’ll be coming up against to look at their set pieces and formations. It all pays off.”