Johnstone Burgh boss Jamie McKim believes any notion his side are inferior to Renfrewshire rivals Neilston has been “blown to pieces” after battling to a second derby win of the season.
A highly-charged affair at the Brig O’Lea Stadium saw the visitors burst into an early lead after just three minutes, Kieran Brady knocking home former Farmer’s Boy Kieran Brophy’s pinpoint delivery.
Despite going down to ten men after Ryan Wallace picked up a second yellow card, Burgh doubled their lead midway through the second half.
Brophy was again involved, pressing the home side into a defensive mistake that allowed Thomas Cruden to apply the finish.
Neilston fought back hard, with Dylan Henry pulling one back with just seven minutes left on the clock.
But Burgh held firm in the closing stages to seal more derby day delight for the Johnstone side, with McKim insisting his team showed brilliant character to hold on to all three points in difficult circumstances.
He told Renfrewshire Live Sport: “It was a pretty horrible atmosphere. There was a lot more needle than I expected.
“They can’t say we didn’t deserve the win. We started so well, hit the bar after 45 seconds and then took the lead after three minutes.
“Neilston were very direct. They hit the post and had chances but we were bright and tried to play our way, keeping the ball on the deck.
“It was a blow to go down to ten men. Ryan was booked again for blocking a throw-in, which was pretty frustrating given some of the challenges the referee was allowing to go unpunished.
“We went into our usual shape when we go down to ten and we kept the pressure on them, forcing them into an error which Cruden capitalised on.
“They scored late on but I never thought we looked in any bother. We were comfortable.
“It was fantastic for the players, who showed great courage to come through that down a man.
“We’ve played over 90 minutes in the two games against Neilston this season down to 10 men and we’ve come away with six points.
“There was a lot of needle at the end of the game but I’m proud of the way everyone at Burgh conducted themselves.
“You’re always going to celebrate a win in those circumstances, especially as Burgh haven’t been at the heights they’ve been before in recent years.
“Neilston maybe think they’re a better side than us and maybe some people there are struggling to accept we’ve blown that theory to pieces.
“This is first time we’ve been in the same league for a number of years and so far we’ve taken six points from our two games.”
The hard-fought win saw Burgh leapfrog Neilston into eighth spot in the First Division table, with McKim’s men now sitting just three points off second place.
The Johnstone boss wants to see his side produce the consistency he feels could see them force their way right to the top end of the league come the end of the campaign.
He said: “Neilston are a good side. They’re very well organised, so to beat them twice this season is a big achievement.
“The league is still so tight that you’re three losses from disaster and three wins from going top of the table.
“We just need to try and put a consistent run together and if we do that there’s no limit to what we can achieve this season.”
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