Johnstone Burgh manager Jamie McKim admits it was a relief to get back to winning ways after his team secured a 1-0 victory at home to Blantyre Victoria.

The Keanie Park outfit went into Saturday's game having taken just one point from their previous three matches, which saw them draw with Whitletts Victoria and lose 3-2 against both Shotts Bon Accord and Petershill.

A deflected effort from new signing Ally Small midway through the second half of the clash with Blantyre was enough to earn victory, with McKim hoping his players can build on that in the coming weeks.

He told Gazette Sport: “You want to get points on the board early doors and, in the last three games, we had let too many points slip through our fingers.

“On Saturday, the main objective was just to get three points and, now we are at the other side of the midweek games, it gives us the opportunity to start training properly and get together and become a team.

“I thought, attacking wise, Saturday was our poorest game but, defensively, we were solid, kept a clean sheet and never gave anything away – and that gave us the best chance of getting the points.”

Small joined the club on loan from Darvel ahead of last Wednesday’s clash with Petershill, in which he also scored.

READ MORE: Shotts defeat Burgh in five-goal thriller

He netted more than 50 goals for Thorniewood United in the last two seasons.

Former St Mirren, Hibernian and Peterborough United defender Jason Naismith has also signed for Burgh after parting company with Cove Rangers and was handed his first start on Saturday.

McKim said he is delighted to have strengthened his squad.

“We had the two games against Whitletts and Shotts where we didn’t have any of our strikers available," he added. "It’s tough when the three forwards you had signed are all out.

“When Ally became available, it was a case that I was interested in the summer and I still was when he came back up. He will score goals at this level.

“With Jason, I felt we had to improve defensively. I thought we were set but then Callum Nolan left during pre-season, so I was always looking to add. I didn’t want to rush into it and made sure we got the right one.

“He’s only 29, so he still has the best years ahead of him and has a lot of talent and experience already. We’ve got him on a two-year deal, so I think that is another sign of intent from the club.”

Burgh travel to Somervell Park this Saturday to take on Cambuslang Rangers, with kick-off at 2pm.