DAVID ALLEN and David Sinclair hit the mark for Helensburgh on Saturday as the local side bounced back from their first loss in nine matches to defeat Eastwood Parkmount 3-1 away from home on Saturday.

Having been beaten in the Greater Glasgow Premier AFL’s Spring Cup tournament seven days previously, Burgh were desperate to return to winning ways.

And a commanding performance in beautiful spring sunshine in Muirend saw them chalk up a sixth league victory in a row and keep their promotion hopes alive.

READ MORE: East Kilbride loss ends Burgh's nine-match winning streak

The Burgh boys kicked off, looking to avenge a 1-0 defeat from the reverse fixture earlier in the season, with two changes to the previous week’s starting XI as top scorer Brooks Tadlock returned after serving a one game suspension and Paul Cavana resumed his place between the sticks.

Helensburgh started on the front foot and had the ball in the net after five minutes when Allen bundled home following a goalmouth scramble – but the visitors’ joy was short-lived as the referee blew for a foul and the goal was disallowed.

Helensburgh continued to press, with Caleb Phipps in particular causing the opposition defence problems with his direct, pacy bursts from midfield – and the visitors’ positive approach paid off with 20 minutes gone, when a deep cross into the Parkmount penalty area was only partially cleared to Allen on the left-hand side of the box – and though he was being forced away from goal, he managed to make himself half a yard and curl a right-footed shot past the helpless keeper.

The rest of the first half saw little in the way of quality football from either team, with the home side seemingly happy to break up play and gave away a series of free kicks in dangerous positions.

READ MORE: Glenvale win makes it eight in a row for Helensburgh

Helensburgh, however, failed to take advantage of any of the set piece opportunities that came their way.

And as half-time approached, Helensburgh shot themselves in the foot with some abysmal play: from a free-kick of their own, Burgh managed to put unnecessary pressure on themselves with a series of wrong decisions and poor passes, the last of which left keeper Cavana facing a 50-50 challenge with the Parkmount centre forward inside his penalty box.

Unfortunately for Burgh the ball broke the way of the striker and he was able to walk the ball into the empty net for an equaliser.

Helensburgh used the break to regroup, and started the second period with greater desire – and after some incisive one-touch build-up play, a tight offside decision went against Allen when he was put in one-on-one with the Parkmount keeper.

READ MORE: Record-breaking Burgh chalk up seventh straight success

Burgh then had two penalty appeals turned down in quick succession as firstly Allen and then Danny Johns appeared to be fouled.

The Burgh back four were comfortably dealing with anything that came their way, and it looked as though it would only be a matter of time before Burgh would regain the lead.

This took a bit longer than the visitors wanted, but just after the hour mark they got the reward for their patience as a Stuart Bailey cross into the six yard box caused panic in the home defence, and in the ensuing melee the Parkmount keeper attempted a low save but only succeeded in pushing the ball into his own net.

Shortly afterwards Burgh introduced Dodds to the fray, and the renewed energy he brought to the midfield was integral to Burgh’s third goal.

With Burgh now pressing the home defence high up the park they were forcing errors, and from one such mistake the ball was quickly worked to Sinclair in the six yard box – and despite being fouled he was able to slot a low shot into the net to give the visitors breathing space.

In the remaining minutes, and with the points more or less secure, Burgh utilised their full squad, and in the closing moments Martin squandered an excellent opportunity for a fourth goal when, following good work by Findlay on the right, he somehow shot over from three yards out.

READ MORE: Cup success extends Helensburgh's winning run

The final whistle blew shortly afterwards with Burgh fully deserving the three points despite a disappointing first half performance.

Manager for the day, Russell Makeham, said afterwards, “We weren’t at our best on Saturday, but we showed a good attitude at the start of the second half and got the goals when it mattered.

“It keeps our push for promotion well and truly alive.”

This Saturday Helensburgh are on the road again with a trip to Crookston to face Boswell in the league.

Squad: P. Cavana, S. Findlay, S. Martin, C. Dodds, D. Wilkie, K. Thomas, D. Park, B. Tadlock, D. Allen, D. Sinclair, S. Bailey, M. McNeil, D. Johns, R. Makeham, C. Phipps.