Johnstone Burgh secured a tremendous 3-1 win following a sensational second half comeback, against an in-form Largs Thistle side at Keanie Park, Johnstone.

The match started quietly but burst into life in the 14th minute, as Largs Thistle would take the lead through Blair Devine, who timed his run perfectly to run onto a lovely through ball to fire a fine curling left foot strike high into the left hand side of the net from 16 yards, leaving Burgh goalkeeper Luke Scullion with no chance.

Johnstone Burgh had a great chance to level the match in the 22nd minute, following some great play by club captain Del Esplin on the right hand side of the box. He produced a fine cutback straight to the left foot of Stuart Faulds, but the former Largs Thistle skipper fired his low effort just wide of the left hand post, eight yards from goal.

Largs Thistle had a half chance to double their lead in the 26th minute, but midfielder Lewis Davidson dragged his effort wide of the right hand post 20 yards from goal.

As the Burgh searched for the equaliser, Blair Rossiter forced a good save from Thistle goalkeeper George O'Connor, as his left foot shot from eight yards was kept out, down low at the right hand post following some good play in the box by Burgh forward Allan MacKenzie in the 36th minute.

There would be no further chances in the first half, and it would be "The Theesel" who would lead 1-0 at half time.

Half time: 0-1

The Burgh would make two changes for the start of the second half, with Aaron Mason replacing Broque Watson, who had made his home debut after signing from Tranent, and Leon Murphy who would replace Ian McShane.

The Keanie park side came flying out the traps, and would level the match in the 47th minute. The Largs defence thought they'd executed the offside trip against Allan MacKenzie, who appeared to be offside, however the officials disagreed and MacKenzie continued his run. The Burgh forward was first to the long ball on the left channel, where he squared the ball to Blair Rossiter, who produced some fine footwork in the box and made a lovely pass straight to Aaron Mason, who timed his run perfectly into the box and took a lovely first touch before he stroked the ball past O'Connor into the bottom right hand corner of the net from 10 yards.

In the 57th minute, Thistle had a good chance to re-take the lead via the dangerous Devine, but his well struck shot from 16 yards from the left hand side of the box, flew just over the crossbar.

The Burgh came close to taking the lead a minute later due to a fine cross from the impressive Leon Murphy on the right hand side, which found Aaron Mason at the back post 10 yards from goal, but after some clever footwork and control, he dragged his low shot just wide of the left hand post.

Johnstone Burgh came close once again to taking lead in the 72nd minute, following a brilliant counter attack led by Aaron Mason. The winger produced a lovely pass to Stuart Faulds, who's right foot shot from 14 yards went just high and wide of the left hand post, with the goal at his mercy.

The Burgh's pressure would finally pay off and they would take a well deserved lead after 77 minutes. Blair Rossiter whipped a dangerous left footed free kick into the box from around 30 yards from goal, and it would be Ciaran Diver, a man who loves a goal against Largs Thistle, who got the slightest of touches just inside the six yard box to divert the ball past O'Connor and into the bottom left hand corner of the net, to send the home support wild.

With the result still in the balance, up stepped "The Johnstone Pirlo" Blair Rossiter, who produced yet another moment of magic as his left footed free kick from 20 yards from the left hand side, found the top right hand corner of the net via the inside of the post in the 82nd minute, to make sure the 3 points would be staying at Keanie Park.

Ciaran Diver almost got his second, and the Burgh's fourth, goal of the afternoon in the 82nd minute, as his powerful shot from a half volley 18 yards from goal, was brilliantly tipped over the bar from Thistle keeper O'Connor.

Johnstone Burgh would see out the final minutes of the game to secure a well deserved 3-1 win and ensure "The Theesel" would head back down the road to Largs empty handed.

The result sees the Burgh move up to 9th place in the table, on to 21 points, after 10 matches played.

Full time: 3-1

Goals: Mason 47, Diver 77, Rossiter 82

Starting XI: Scullion, Forrester, Gilday, Eadie, O'Neill, Esplin (C), Watson (Mason 46), Faulds, MacKenzie (Diver 68), McShane (Murphy 46), Rossiter

Man of the match: Blair Rossiter

Once again a big thank you to the supporters of both clubs, who attended our first match at Keanie Park in eight weeks. Your support is greatly appreciated.

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