Johnstone Burgh manager Jamie McKim has heaped praise on his players after a gutsy win against promotion-chasing Drumchapel United at Keanie Park.

The home side raced into a 2-0 lead by half-time on Saturday, thanks to goals from Jojo Gillespie and Kieran Brady, but the momentum switched after the break as Drum drew level and a red card for Thomas Cruden left Burgh with 10 men.

However, despite the disappointment of conceding twice and having a player sent off in the space of four minutes, McKim’s troops went on to seal victory, courtesy of a Kieran Brophy penalty.

Burgh went into the game on the back of consecutive defeats against Rutherglen Glencairn and Cumbernauld United but bounced back in impressive fashion.

McKim told Gazette Sport: “I couldn’t ask for much more from the boys because they were excellent but we didn’t make it easy for ourselves by letting them get back to 2-2.

“There was a wee scare then but it shows a lot of character and we’re pleased to get the three points.

“There wasn’t a failure on the park for us and hopefully we can carry that into the remaining games.

“The momentum swings when they get it back to 2-2 and it looks like there’s only one team that’s going to win it.

“We made a couple of changes after the red card and the boys done the business to go and get a result, so I couldn’t be any happier with them.

“They defended well and counter attacked really well and that’s how we won the penalty which won us the game.”

Burgh now turn their attention to this Saturday's match at Kilbirnie Ladeside – another team hoping to gain promotion from the First Division this season.

The Valefield Park outfit were comfortable 4-1 winners at Keanie Park back in August but McKim has challenged his players to prove how far they have come since then.

He added: “It'll be a different game this time. I hope it’s a different result. We have matured as a team since then.

“These types of games were probably too big for us earlier in the season. We were still coming to terms with the style of this league.

“We've come from the bottom league in the last couple of years and have progressed through them. It’s not a thing that happens overnight, we are still developing as a team and as a club.

“Saturday is a big opportunity to show how far we have come from the start of the season."

Kick-off is at 2pm.