Johnstone Burgh fought their way into the second round of the Indigo Comms West Of Scotland Cup with a 5-1 victory over Vale Of Leven.

The visitors got off to the perfect start as they took an 8th minute lead. Burgh failed to deal with a long ball forward from Vale keeper Evan Currie and Danny Patterson lobbed Luke Scullion from more than 25 yards to stun the hosts.

Burgh responded well, but Vale put up a stubborn defence and were tough to break down. On 12 minutes, the ball was cut back to Burgh captain Del Esplin, who struck it first time and forced Currie into his first save of the match. A couple of minutes later, he was called into action again when Aaron Mason cut in from the right and fired a powerful effort at goal but Currie, again, made the save.

On 20 minutes, Burgh almost equalised from an Aaron Mason corner, which met the head of Jason Naismith but Adam Monaghan was there to block the goalbound header on the line. Five minutes later, Burgh had another shot cleared off the line. Gary McCann had done brilliantly to keep the ball in play, and drew Currie away from his goal. He then cut it back to Lyon, whose first-time shot was cleared off the line by Lewis King.

A minute later, Currie made an excellent save after Stuart McCann squared it to Danny O'Neill, who tried to beat Currie at his near post but the Vale keeper denied him.

On the half hour mark, Burgh finally had their equaliser. Stuart McCann played a throughball to Gary McCann, who was brought down by Stuart Alexander. The Vale players protested, but there had been clear contact with McCann, and the referee's mind was made up. Aaron Mason stepped up to take it and, after a lengthy delay, kept his composure to slot it beyond Currie.

Half time: 1-1

In the 5th minute of the second half, Gary McCann played an excellent one-two with his brother Stuart before attempting to fire the ball across the keeper, but Currie stuck out his right leg to make a great save. A minute later, Currie had to make another save, when Mason broke through Vale's defence and shot towards the near post. Graham Dorrans was next to have an effort at goal but his strike whistled inches past the post.

On 58 minutes, Esplin played a lofted throughball to Jonny Lyon who chested it under control and, seeing Currie advancing off his line, attempted to lob the keeper but got too much on it and his shot went over. A minute later, after Vale failed to deal with a corner, Lyon crossed it back into the box where Cammy Eadie flung himself at it and found the net with his diving header. However, the linesman's flag was raised and the goal was ruled out for offside.

A few minutes later, Burgh had the ball in the net again. Lyon's 25 yard strike was saved down low by Currie, but Mason was there to follow it up and give Burgh the lead. Mason had a chance for his hat trick three minutes later, when he collected Stuart McCann's deep cross. Mason cut back and went for goal from an acute angle but was denied by Currie.

Burgh kept pressing for more, and were agonisingly close to doubling their lead on 71 minutes when Graham Dorrans hit a ferocious effort from just outside the box, which cannoned back off the post. As Vale failed to deal with the rebound, they conceded a free kick just outside out the penalty area. It was always going to be tough to hit the target, being so close to goal and very central. But Dorrans struck it powerfully and, with Currie rooted to the spot, it went inches wide.

Substitute Kenzie McCrystal came close when his effort went just over the bar. Lyon was eager to get on the scoresheet today, and came close after McCrystal's cutback but Lyon's effort hit the post. McCrystal was involved again in the 87th minute as he got on the end of Mason's throughball. With Currie racing out to close him down, McCrystal's clever reverse shot found the bottom corner and looked to secure the win for the hosts.

94 seconds later, McCrystal got his second of the game. Max Kerr raced forward and squared it to Lyon. Lyon's reverse pass to McCann was intercepted by a Vale defender, but he could only direct the ball into the path of McCrystal, who took one touch before dinking it beautifully over Currie to make it 4-1.

In the first minute of added time, Burgh had another effort cleared off the line. Mullen's header looked to be going in, but Monaghan was there to clear off the line. A minute later, Mullen and Christie played a couple of one-twos as they worked a short corner before Christie curled a stunning effort into the top corner with his left foot to finish the scoring and make it 5-1.

Full time: 5-1

Goals: Mason 30 (P), 68, McCrystal 87, 88, Christie 90+2

Starting XI: Scullion, Naismith, Gilday, Eadie, O'Neill, Esplin (C), G McCann, Dorrans, S McCann, Lyon, Mason

Man Of The Match: Kenzie McCrystal

Today's result sees us progress to the second round of the West Of Scotland Cup. In the second round, we will play Irvine Meadow. The tie will take place at Keanie Park on 2nd November, with kick off at 14:00.

Thank you to all who came out to support The Burgh today.

A reminder that next week's game at Shotts has been postponed due to Shotts' involvement in the South Challenge Cup, meaning we have no game next weekend. Our next match will be in two weeks, on Saturday 19th October when we welcome Dundee North End to Keanie Park in the Scottish Junior Cup. Kick off will be at 14:30.

*Match images will be posted this week.