Johnstone Burgh bounced back from last week's defeat with a 2-1 victory over Hurlford United.

Hurlford came into the match having won their last three.

After a cagey start, the first big chance of the match came in the 16th minute when Darren Christie did brilliantly to beat Ross Love, before firing a powerful effort at goal but Ford keeper George O'Connor denied him at the near post, resulting in a Burgh corner. Max Kerr's inswinging corner fell to centreback Alan Cook at the back post who steered it into the net to give the home side the lead.

Two minutes later Burgh had a chance to double their lead when Kerr's looping cross found Ciaran Diver, who headed it goalward. Although it should've been a comfortable save for the Hurlford keeper, O'Connor spilled it but unfortunately for us, nobody was there to follow it up and O'Connor gathered the loose ball.

Burgh were close to getting a second in the 32nd minute when Kerr's corner was met by Malky McDonald. His powerful header was saved on the line by O'Connor.

Five minutes before half time, we were inches away from 2-0 when Ross Smith played an aerial throughball for Diver. O'Connor raced out of his box, beating the Burgh striker to the ball, but his clearance only made it to the half way line, where it was gathered by McDonald. With the keeper off his line, McDonald went for goal and beat O'Connor but his effort went just wide.

The away side came close to an equaliser just before half time. An inswinging corner was tipped away by Burgh keeper Luke Scullion. Paul McKenzie then tried an overhead kick, but Del Esplin headed it off the line to ensure we went into the break ahead.

Just 66 seconds into the second half, and the scores were level. Another corner was tipped away by Scullion and this time it fell to Gareth Armstrong. He then smashed the ball across the box, and the ball ricocheted off Danny O'Neill, who was unable to get out of the way, and into the Burgh net.

In the 55th minute, Burgh were awarded a free kick about 10 yards inside the Hurlford half. Kerr sent it into the box where Diver, who beaten the offside trap, delicately volleyed it over O'Connor with the outside of his left boot from 8 yards out in what is sure to be a contender for Burgh's goal of the season.

The visitors had a great chance to equalise 10 minutes from time when Lewis Morrison cut it back to Jack Whittaker but his effort was saved by Scullion.

With two minutes remaining, substitute Lewis McMahon came close to an equaliser but his effort only found the side netting.

As the clock ticked over into stoppage time, Burgh should've made it 3-1. Stuart McCann attempted a throughball to Kyle Lafferty. However, realising that the Northern Irishman was offside, McCann continued his run and got onto his own throughball before putting a low cross into the box. The cross found Aaron Mason, who took a touch to control the ball before shooting, but O'Connor quickly scrambled across his goal to deny the Burgh substitute and put it out for a corner.

Half Time: 1-0

Full Time: 2-1

Goals: Cook (17), Diver (55)

Starting XI (subs): Scullion, Mullen, Gilday, Cook, O'Neill, Esplin (C), Christie (S McCann 81), McDonald, Diver (Lafferty 81), Kerr (Mason 81)

Man Of The Match: TBC (cast your vote here)

Images from today's match can be seen below. For more images, click here.

Despite some late pressure from the visitors, it was a fairly comfortable afternoon for The Burgh, who controlled the game well to get our third win in the last four games. With Troon's defeat at home to Glenafton Athletic, we leapfrog them to go 2nd in the league, three points clear of them having played a game less. We play that game in hand on Wednesday night, when we make the short journey to Beith. Kick off is at 18:30.

After Beith, we turn our attention to the Scottish Junior Cup semi finals, as we prepare to welcome Largs Thistle to Keanie Park for the first leg. Kick off will be at 17:30, and tickets are on sale now. They can be purchased from Keanie Park during the week. In order to avoid a repeat of last year's congestion and delayed kick off, we'd advise fans to purchase tickets in advance and/or arrive early. Thank you.