Johnstone Burgh boss Jamie McKim cursed his luck after being forced to field an outfield player in goals for almost all of Saturday’s clash with Benburb.

Shotstopper Glen Cameron pulled up with an injury while taking a goal-kick after barely a minute of action at Keanie Park.

And, with no back-up keeper listed as a substitute, defender Danny McBeth had to take over between the sticks.

Despite matching their opponents for large spells, the absence of a recognised goalie eventually took its toll as Benburb secured a 2-1 victory.

Thomas Cruden had put McKim’s team ahead midway through the first half but the visitors responded via an own goal just after the half-hour mark and Lewis Lovering bagged their winner after the interval.

Burgh had named a goalkeeper on the bench for all of their previous games this season but were without development number one Lee Kilbride on Saturday.

McKim said: “To come away with nothing, we feel incredibly hard done by – but that’s football.

“Benburb took kick-off and got the ball forward, we defended it and it went out for a goal-kick and Glen done his quad taking it.

“It was inside the first minute. We’ve had a substitute goalkeeper on the bench for every game this season and, unfortunately, it was a late issue that Lee couldn’t make it.

“It’s something I’m not really comfortable with, especially at this level, because we know the difference it can make.

“The boys put in a great shift and, in the first half, there was only one team in it.

“There is an element of pride there which might come through eventually but, at the moment, it’s just disappointment because, even without a goalkeeper, I thought we were much better than them.”

There’s no time for Burgh to dwell on Saturday’s result as they go straight back into competitive action tonight when they travel to Rutherglen Glencairn.

The home team will be looking for revenge after Burgh won 5-0 at Keanie Park back in November and McKim has urged his troops to use Saturday’s disappointment as motivation.

He added: “The boys will be feeling hard done by and we’ll be up for it this week.”

Burgh are back at home on Saturday, when they face St Cadoc’s, with kick-off at 2pm.