Johnstone Burgh boss Jamie McKim believes that Saturday’s point against title-chasing St Cadoc’s shows just exactly how far his side have come.

The East Renfrewshire outfit is amongst the favourites for promotion to the Premier Division this season as they sit just three points off the top with games in hand over teams ahead of them and comfortably beat Burgh back in December.

However, the Keanie Park side bagged a well-earned draw on Saturday with Thomas Cruden’s second goal in as many games cancelling out Richie McKillen’s opener for the visitors.

There were chances for both sides to win in the second half and McKim admits his side can feel a little hard done by at not finding a winner. 

He told Gazette Sport: “I came away on Saturday and thought on the balance of play a draw was a fair result but having watched it back and seeing the quality of our chances, it’s probably disappointing not to come away with the three points.

“I know people will look at budgets and the players but with the way the game went we should have won it. Saturday’s result shows progress. I was really proud of the boys efforts and we matched them for long periods.

“We equalised within about 45 seconds which was a great reaction but we shouldn’t have been in that situation in the first place – the goal should have been us taking the lead.

“I feel at the moment we can’t really get a break – the goalkeeper scenario last week, our centre-back getting injured on Saturday, and we’re still playing Cammy Crooks out of position at right-back.”

Goalkeeper Lee Mitchell made his debut for Burgh after he was signed during the week as a result of last week’s nightmare scenario against Benburb that saw defender Danny McBeth in between the posts for most of the game.

McKim was delighted with the debut from Mitchell despite him not taking to the pitch for a year and a half.

He added: “Lee hasn’t been playing for about 18 months but he keeps himself fit. He’s played a decent level previously and is good on the ball, a good goalkeeper and his communication and organisation is second to none.

“I’m really happy to get somebody of that quality in to add to the goalkeeping position.”

Burgh are at Keanie Park again this weekend when they host Thorniewood United. 

Kick-off is at 2pm.