Johnstone Burgh gaffer Jamie McKim has praised his team’s battling performance in the narrow cup loss to Premier Division giants Auchinleck Talbot at the weekend.

McKim believes Burgh have the potential to go on a winning run – and boost their promotion chances – if they show the same level of commitment for the rest of the season.

The Keanie Park club currently occupy fifth place in the First Division of the West of Scotland Football League (WoSFL) and could go third if they beat Benburb at home on Saturday.

McKim told Gazette Sport: “Although Auchinleck are a top team, I thought we were the better side on Saturday.

“We hit the post in both halves and should have taken more from the game.”

A first half goal by Talbot’s Mark Shankland decided the second round WoSFL Cup tie but, while McKim believes it should have been ruled out for offside, he also admits the Ayrshire men were denied a “stonewall” penalty.

“We gave a good account of ourselves but didn’t carry that wee bit of luck that you need on the day,” he said. “When you play the top sides like Auchinleck, you get one or two chances and you need to take them.

“We have a very young squad and there is a lot they can take from their performance on Saturday. To play the way they played, I was really proud of them.”

McKim also bemoaned the lack of preparation time in a season which has been badly disrupted by postponements.

He added: “It is a very tough league and there is a lot of money it. We have one of the smaller budgets and need to keep punching above our weight.

“For the rest of the season, it has got to be about desire and application.

“If we are going to be successful then I need a lot more performances like the one against Auchinleck.”

McKim also praised the performance of 24-year-old centre-half Eachainn Miller, who made his Burgh debut after joining from Shotts Bon Accord.

“He’s a player we’ve been interested in for some time and we’ve been tracking his progress,” said McKim. “The registration only went through on Friday afternoon and I had no hesitation in throwing him in on Saturday. He was outstanding.”

Burgh’s match against Benburb at Keanie Park will kick-off at 1.30pm.