Johnstone Burgh slumped to a 4-3 defeat to Kilwinning Rangers in their final home match of the season at Keanie Park, Johnstone.

Burgh interim manager Graeme Ramage made 5 changes to the starting XI that lost 3-1 to Shotts Bon Accord at Hannah Park last Saturday. Out went Ben Mullen, Stuart Faulds, Aiden Gilmartin, Broque Watson and Blair Rossiter, and in came Scott Forrester, Ian McShane, Aaron Mason, Allan MacKenzie and Noah Grady, who was making his first start for the senior team.

Kilwinning Rangers made a fast start, and opened the scoring inside 2 minutes. Ryan Wilson pounced on a slack pass from Del Esplin, and then squared the ball to Robbie Scullion, who made no mistake as he tapped the ball into the net from 6 yards.

"The Buffs" had a chance to score their second goal of the game in the 6th minute as Ryan Wilson had a clear sight of goal, but from just outside the box he dragged his right foot shot well wide of the left hand post.

It was a slow start for the Burgh, but they levelled the game in the 10th minute. Ian McShane's right foot cross from a free kick was headed high into the net by Lewis King from around 8 yards.

The home side's joy was short lived as Kilwinning Rangers regained the lead just 2 minutes later. Harry Weir fired in a dangerous cross from the right hand side, and it was Robbie Scullion who did the damage again, as his first time right foot volley found the net from 8 yards.

"The Buffs" were well in control and made it goal number three in the 23rd minute. Nicholas Lockhart's dangerous free kick from the left hand side found Lawrence Hendry, who headed the ball into the net from 8 yards.

It was a poor first half for Johnstone Burgh, but they came close to pulling a goal back in the 40th minute. Aaron Mason went on a solo run before firing a powerful right foot shot from around 25 yards just wide of the left hand post.

Kilwinning Rangers went into the half time break 3-1 up.

Half time: 1-3

The Burgh started the second half well and it was Aaron Mason who came close to scoring for the home side, but his low right foot shot from 20 yards was well saved by Dylan Brown.

Kilwinning Rangers added their 4th goal of the afternoon in the 52nd minute. Blair MacIntyre put a brilliant pass across the face of the goal which found Ryan Wilson, who then produced a cool finish into the net from 6 yards.

Johnstone Burgh scored their second goal of the afternoon in the 56th minute. Kian Gilday burst into the box and produced a fine pass to Broque Watson, who calmly rolled the ball into the net from close range.

The home side were searching for goal number three and came close in the 68th minute but Malky McDonald's first time right foot shot from a tight angle was well saved by Dylan Brown.

The Burgh were awarded a penalty in the 78th minute when Lewis King was fouled in the box by Lawrence Hendry. Up stepped Blair Rossiter who made no mistake as he found the back of the net from 12 yards.

Johnstone Burgh had their tails up and had a chance to level the match in the 88th minute, but Aaron Mason's right foot shot from 25 yards was saved by Brown.

The final chance of the match fell to "The Buffs" Ryan Wilson, but his close range effort was brilliantly saved by Luke Scullion.

The away side saw out the final four minutes of injury time to secure the three points and promotion to the Lowland League West next season.

Following today's defeat, Johnstone Burgh remain in 5th place on 44 points, with 28 games played.

Full time: 3-4

Johnstone Burgh goals: King 10, Watson 56, Rossiter (Pen) 78

Kilwinning Rangers goals: Scullion 2+12, Hendry 23, Wilson 52

Man Of The Match: Malky McDonald

Starting XI: Scullion, Grant, Gilday, Forrester, King, Esplin (C) (McDonald 46), Mason, McShane (Faulds 66), MacKenzie (Gilmartin 57), Grady (Rossiter 46), Cummins (Watson 46)

A big thank you to the supporters of both Johnstone Burgh and Kilwinning Rangers for attending today's match. A final thank you to all the Burgh supporters who have attended Keanie Park throughout the season. Your support is greatly appreciated. See you again next season!

Next up for the Burgh is a trip to Beechwood Park to face Auchinleck Talbot in the WoSFL Premier Division on Monday 11th May. Kick off is at 7:30pm.

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