Shotts boss John McKeown admits he needed a video to prove that Craig Crawford’s winner had crossed the line against Johnstone Burgh.
But he’s delighted that it did count, keeping Shotts’ impressive run going in the West of Scotland League First Division, and against a good, young side that he doesn’t think many teams will get joy from.
Crawford’s shot from a corner struck the crossbar and bounced over the line, before coming back out of the goal.
McKeown said: “I’ll be honest, at the time I didn’t think it was over, but when I saw the pictures back it was pretty clear that it was over the line so fair play to the ref for getting the call right.
“Just before that we missed a really good chance through Paul McGeough, so I was quite happy that we got one.
“From there, I felt we defended really well and saw the game out, and maybe could have added another.
“It was a tight game, but it was good to dig deep again and get the result. I felt we probably just edged it, in terms of chances created.
“It was really tight on a heavy park, and it was a great three points, because they’re a good, young side and not a lot of teams will go there and win.
“To keep a clean sheet was even more pleasing, because we’ve not kept a clean sheet before that in the league this season.”
Shotts travel to New Tinto Park tonight to take on Benburb, before hosting Ardrossan Winton Rovers in the West of Scotland Cup first round on Saturday, with McKeown just looking to keep his side’s good form going.
He said: “We’re on good form, we’ve really picked up since the start of the season, but you’re one or two wins away from looking great and only one or two defeats away from disaster.
“It’s such a tight league and you’ve just got to take each game as it comes.
“We’re away to Benburb and that will be another tough tie. They don’t get any easier, that’s for sure, it’s just going to be one of those leagues – but you want to compete against good teams.
“They’re coming thick and fast, but the boys like that. They’d rather be playing than training, but Benburb’s park is round the corner from Ibrox and they play Hearts at the same time, so it’s going to be a bit of a rush to get there.
“But we’re looking forward to it, and we just need to keep up the good run.”
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