Johnstone Burgh boss Jamie McKim hailed his players for finding a way to win as they came from behind to beat bottom club Whitletts Victoria.

Dean McColm put the visitors ahead after just two minutes at Keanie Park on Saturday when he tucked the ball into the net from close range after Glen Cameron had parried a shot from the edge of the box.

Burgh were level 20 minutes later, courtesy of an Aaron Millar goal.
The hosts then had to be patient as they went in search of a winner but finally made the breakthrough in the 82nd minute as Jojo Gillespie skipped past two challenges and played in trialist Ross Cameron, who poked the ball home.

It was the first time Burgh had played since the start of February, having had two games postponed.

And, although McKim was expecting his players to take some time to get back up to speed, he was delighted to see them grind out three points despite being far from their best.

He told Gazette Sport: “It wasn’t pretty but you’re happy just to get over the line when you’re not playing well.

“We didn’t create much and the quality wasn’t great but what you can’t fault is the heart, desire and effort.

“There have been several occasions this season when we have played well but came away without three points, so Saturday was the flipside.

“I’d rather get the points without being at your best than playing well and not getting what you deserve.

“We know we need to be better but at least we won. We’ve had that bad day and we’ve come through it with three points and, to me, that is the sign of a good team.”

The big games keep on coming for McKim and his squad as they now prepare to host Benburb this weekend.

Just one point separates the teams in the First Division table, with both right in the promotion mix, and McKim knows his players will need to produce a better display than they managed against Whitletts.

He said: “If we play the way we did against Whitletts then we won’t win on Saturday. You can’t get away with that two weeks in a row.

“Benburb play St Roch’s on Wednesday night, so we’ll go and watch them and see how they set up.”

Kick-off on Saturday is at 2pm.