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Johnstone Burgh were knocked out of the Scottish Junior Cup after a 2-1 defeat at home to Arthurlie.

After a 15 minute delay due to crowd congestion, the match was finally underway, with Tommy Montgomery having made one change from the side that drew last week’s match 2-2. Dale Simeon came in to replace Craig Menzies, who hadn’t quite recovered from an injury picked up in the first leg.

Like the first leg, Arthurlie started the game on top and created a few early chances, without really troubling Burgh keeper Kenzie Smyth.

Burgh had their first chance of the game in the 12^thminute, when they were awarded a free just outside the box to the right of the goal after Kyle Lafferty was chopped down from behind by Conor Bradley. Graham Dorrans looked to cross the free kick into the goal mouth area, but he overhit the free kick and it went out for a goal kick.

By now, the game was opening up and in the 18^thminute, Burgh had the lead. A Dale Simeon corner was flicked on by Malky McDonald and Kieran Brophy was there to head in to send the majority of the2,500 fans wild.

Sadly though, the lead only lasted five minutes. Conor Bolger was allowed to run through the Burgh defence unchallenged and, from the edge of the box, curled it just inside the post.

In the 34^th minute, Burgh had a chance to go ahead when Arthurlie keeper Graham Black had to race out of his box to beat Kieran Brophy to a long ball over the top. He only cleared as far as Dale Simeon who lobbed him from over 30 yards out, but his effort went over the bar.

Four minutes later, Brophy was chasing another long ball over the top, and this time he won the race to the ball, and was able to get his shot away on the half volley but, frustratingly, dragged the shot wide.

Burgh had another chance to take the lead before half time when Michael MacNeil was penalised for a shove on Lafferty. Simeon took the free kick out wide and Stuart McCann threw himself at the ball but his diving header went wide.

Half time: 1-1

Again, Arthurlie started the half quickest, and they made it count this time. After picking up a loose pass, Dylan McGuigan raced through on goal and kept his composure to slot it past Smyth.

Tommy Montgomery made changes as Burgh sought a way back into the tie, one of which saw Del Esplin return from injury.

On 70 minutes, Burgh had their best chance of the second half, as Jonny Lyon played a throughball to Lafferty, who struck it from the edge of the box but failed to hit the target.

Five minutes later, Burgh had their hearts in their mouths when Max Kerr fired the ball across the goal, but nobody was there to knock it in.

With 10 minutes to go, Stuart McCann got on the end of Gary McCann's cross but his strike went just wide.

Full time: 1-2 (3-4 agg)

Goal: Brophy

Starting XI: Smyth, Wallace, G McCann, McDonald (C),Naismith, Dorrans, Brophy, Lyon, Lafferty, Simeon, S McCann

Man of the Match: Kieran Brophy

Thank you to all those who came to support The Burgh, it was a truly incredible turnout. In the end, though, it was heartbreak but Arthurlie deserved their win. We now turn our attention to the league, with a hectic few weeks coming up. Next up, it’s Neilston away on Wednesday night. Kick off at Brig O’ Lea Stadium at 18:45

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