NEILSTON manager Andy Whiteford spoke of his disappointment after seeing his side fail to take all three points against Ardeer Thistle.

In their first league game since last season’s promotion, the Farmer’s Boys picked up a point at home in the 3-3 draw, but will feel that they may have dropped two in the process.

Despite being up 2-0 at the break after goals from Thomas McGaughey and Derek Kennedy, the visitors came back to net three times, until Neilston fought back for the draw with a penalty from James Canning to equalise.

However, boss Whiteford wasn’t left as happy as he had hoped: “I wasn’t particularly pleased with the performance.

“We didn’t play that well, not to our potential.

“We battled hard but it was a scrappy game.

“When you’re 2-0 up at home at half time, you don’t expect to be dropping any points. Ardeer are a good side and it was a tough game, so ultmately, on reflection, it was probably a fair result.” It is very common in any new league for a promoted side to have a hard season ahead of them, however Whiteford insists that his side can handle it: “There is a bit of a step up and a better quality of team to play, but I believe that our squad is good enough to cope with the demands of the league.

“One of the setbacks we had in the game was that we had three or four players missing due to them either being injured, working or on holiday, but we should have them back for next week.” Next up for Neilston is an away trip to face Maybole, with the squad bolstered by those returning and the prospect of possible new additions, with players on trial tonight (Wednesday).

Whiteford added: “We had trialists involved on Saturday and we’ll have them in midweek.

“Hopefully we will be able to add to the side and we will also be boosted by the guys we have coming back.

“It would have been good if we could have taken three points at the weekend but we will take consolation that we remain unbeaten and hopefully we can get a win against a tough team in Maybole.”