SAUCHIE ace Ant McTaggart admitted his side had to dig in in order to take maximum points from their first game after the winter break.

The juniors survived a late onslaught from Arniston Rangers to ensure they started the second half of the season as they ended the first.

McTaggart told Advertiser Sport: “We probably weren’t at our best as it was our first game back after the winter break but it is all about getting the three points, no matter how you do it.

"We were 2-0 up and we looked like we were well on course but we let them back into the game with ten minutes to go, so we made it a bit awkward for ourselves.

"But we managed to see the game out and come away with the three points which is the main thing.

“Although we have a few games in hand, Arniston are just below us in the table so it is good to have pushed ourselves a bit further ahead of them and the other teams in that group.

"We want to push on now and we are in a good position to do that. We will get better and better as the weeks go on.”

Although the midfielder says his side are in a good position in the Premier League title race, with as many as four games in hand over some of their rivals, McTaggart insists everything can change between now and the end of the season.

He said: “We are in a great position but we are only halfway through the season. We have won nothing yet. There is still a long way to go.

"We had a very good first half of the season so we need to keep that level of consistency.

"It won’t be easy because every game is tough at this level but if we go into each game with the right mindset and continue to give one hundred per cent we will keep getting results.”

McTaggart was delighted to see teammates Brian Morgan and Darren Cummings return after spells on the sidelines with injury, and he believes their experience will be vital if Sauchie are to continue their charge towards the title.

He added: “It is good to have Morgy and Daz back. They have been big influences on me since I signed for Sauchie so it is good to have them back out on the park.

"They have been there and done it all before so I think they will be vital, especially as we get towards the end of the season.”