NEILSTON boss Kevin Muirhead is expecting a "dogfight" at the bottom of the First Division in the coming weeks as a number of teams battle it out to avoid relegation.

It was a frustrating afternoon for the Farmer's Boys on Saturday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Whitletts Victoria.

The teams went into the game level on points and couldn’t be separated on the day either as Cammy Haddow’s second half penalty cancelled out Jordan Boyd’s opener for the visitors at the Brig O'Lea.

Neilston had an extra man for the final quarter of the game, as Whitletts were reduced to 10 following the penalty incident.

However, despite hitting the crossbar and calling visiting goalkeeper Louis Kerr into action on more than one occasion, they failed to take advantage.

The result leaves Neilston just a couple of places above the relegation zone and, while Muirhead was pleased with his team's response to a defeat by Thorniewood United the previous week, he is disappointed to have missed out on all three points.

He told Barrhead Sport: “Apart from Whitletts’ goal, they’ve had one headed off the line but they haven’t really tested us.

“We spent most of our time camped in their half and just lacked that cutting edge to get the three points.

“After the Thorniewood game I questioned the workrate and dedication of the players but they answered me on Saturday. They ran their socks off and worked tirelessly for us, so I’m happy in terms of that.

“It's a dogfight at the bottom of the division. That point on Saturday puts us on 28 points, along with three other teams. It’s going to be really difficult and we’ve got a few tricky games coming up.”

Neilston take on high-flyers Benburb this Saturday and, after picking up results against other promotion-chasing teams in Drumchapel United and Gartcairn since being appointed manager, Muirhead is hopeful his troops can up their game once again.

He added: “It’s going to be really difficult but we’ll approach it like any other game. We want to go and win it.

“It’s been the story since I’ve came in that, when we’ve been playing teams up at the top of the league, we seem to find extra energy from somewhere.

"I’ll be hoping that’s the case again on Saturday.”

Kick-off is at 2pm.