Johnstone Burgh failed to make it five consecutive league wins, as they could only manage a 0-0 draw with a determined Glenafton Athletic side at a cold, wet and miserable Keanie Park, Johnstone.

Burgh manager Murdo MacKinnon made five changes from the starting XI that beat St Cadoc's 2-1 at Keanie Park on Wednesday evening. Out went Craig Menzies, Lewis King, Stuart Faulds, Aaron Mason and Aiden Gilmartin, and in came Malky McDonald, Matty Grant, Club Captain Del Esplin, Darren Christie and Kyle Lafferty.

Sam McKee had the first chance for Glenafton Athletic in the 1st minute, but his right foot shot from 18 yards was easily saved by Luke Scullion.

Johnstone Burgh came close to taking the lead in the 13th minute. Blair Rossiter had a sight of goal from 25 yards, but his powerful left foot strike hit the outside of the left hand post.

In the 22nd minute, the Burgh had an excellent chance to take the lead. Blair Rossiter found Kyle Lafferty down the right hand side, and Lafferty then put a lovely low ball into the box for Broque Watson, but with the goal at his mercy, his side foot effort from 6 yards was brilliantly saved by Ollie Ecrepont.

Johnstone Burgh were controlling the game and yet again came close to opening the scoring in the 26th minute. Blair Rossiter created himself an opening in the right hand side of the box but his powerful left foot strike from 10 yards, that looked to be heading into the left hand corner of the net, was superbly saved by Ecrepont.

A minute later it was Matty Grant who had the next chance for the home side. The former Stranraer man went on a solo run down the right hand side, before firing a low left foot shot, from 16 yards, which was once again kept out by Ecrepont.

On the half hour mark, Sam McKee had a half chance for Glenafton, but his right foot shot, from 14 yards was well blocked by Scott Forrester.

The weather conditions were starting to worsen, but the chances kept coming for both teams. Kian Gilday fired a brilliant cross into the box from the left hand side, which found club captain Del Esplin, but his glancing header from 10 yards went just wide of the right hand post in the 33rd minute.

Glenafton had the final chance of the first half in the 36th minute. Callum Wilson had a sight of goal, but his right foot shot, from around 22 yards, was saved by Scullion to ensure both teams would go in level at the half time break

Half time: 0-0

In the 49th minute "The Glens" had a good chance to take the lead. The ball fell to Brannan McDermott, who fired a right foot shot from 16 yards towards goal, but Scott Forrester did well to head the ball clear.

Just two minutes later, Matty Grant went on a driving run down the right hand side before creating himself a good opening, but the impressive Ollie Ecrepont made yet another fine save from Grant's right foot shot from around 20 yards.

On the hour mark, Burgh's Darren Christie had a chance to put the home side in front, but his right foot shot from 14 yards went just over the crossbar.

In the 61st minute, the best chance of the match came for the Keanie Park side. Darren Christie's cross from the right wing found Broque Watson at the back post. He then headed the ball to Blair Rossiter, who would see his header from 4 yards somehow kept out by the unbeatable Glenafton Athletic goalkeeper Ollie Ecrepont.

In the 72nd minute Sam McGarva from Burgh's under 20's Development team, made his debut for the senior team after coming on for Matty Grant. Congratulations Sam.

Broque Watson was next to threaten, but his right foot shot from 20 yards was once again saved by Ecrepont. A minute later Ian McShane had an opening, but his right foot shot from 18 yards went wide of the right hand post.

Glenafton had their best chance of the match in the 80th minute. David Craig's cutback found Brannon McDermott, who would see his side foot shot from 10 yards cleared off the line by Scott Forrester. The ball then fell to Callum Wilson, who fired a right foot shot just over the crossbar from 25 yards. A huge let off for the Burgh.

With 5 minutes of normal time remaining, Aaron Mason had a sight of goal, but his left foot shot from 18 yards was saved by Ecrepont. A minute into added time it was Mason once again who had a chance to score, but his right foot shot from 20 yards was yet again saved by the brilliant Ecrepont.

With literally 3 seconds left to play of the 4 minutes added time, Ian McShane played a killer pass to Jude Cummins, who looked certain to score the winner, but his right foot strike from 8 yards was brilliantly blocked by "The Glens" star man Ollie Ecrepont. The ball then fell to Broque Watson, but with the goal at his mercy, he could only volley the ball over the crossbar from 6 yards, which would end up being the final kick of the match as the referee blew the full time whistle.

After today's share of the spoils, Johnstone Burgh remain in 6th place, on 37 points after 20 matches played.

Full time: 0-0

Man Of The Match: Malky McDonald

Starting XI: Scullion, Grant (McGarva 72) Gilday, McDonald, Forrester, McShane, Christie (Mason 72), Esplin (C) (Faulds 82), Lafferty (Gilmartin 78), Rossiter (Cummins 82), Watson

Once again a big thank you to the supporters of both teams for attending this afternoon's match at Keanie Park.

Next up for Johnstone Burgh is a trip to face Cumnock Juniors in the WoSFL Premier Division at Townhead Park, Cumnock, on Wednesday 8th April. Kick off is at 7:45pm

‍©Match Report: John
©Images: Mitch, Iain, Graham