FRASER DUNCAN believes Saturday's draw was probably a fair result but admitted it still felt like two points dropped.

In an eight-goal thriller, Sauchie rallied from 3-1 down away to Hill of Beath to take a 4-3 lead before a late goal ensured both teams took a point.

The result means Sauchie are still undefeated three games into the season, picking up seven points from nine.

Asked how he reflected on the game, Duncan told Advertiser Sport: "Depends what period of the game you're looking at, if I'm being honest.

"In the first 10 minutes of the game we've started the better side – started at a high tempo, scored the goal and had another chance right after it to make it two.

"Then we're pinned back by three set-pieces and I think we started to take our foot off the gas. We allowed them to get in with three set-pieces and it caused us problems.

"We've came in at half-time and changed the shape. Hill of Beath's a really difficult pitch to play on, really tight.

"We made a tactical sub, brought Danny Connor on and took Kris Kelly off and it worked a treat.

"We looked better, we started to create chances and, if I'm being honest, only ever looked like one team was going to get anything back out the game and I was really impressed by the way we went about it."

The gaffer added: "To score three goals – three great goals – and take the lead was outstanding. Then, unfortunately, we had that sucker punch at the end.

"I think we thought we were over the line and we just got caught out at a bad moment and we managed to throw two points away.

"[I was] a wee bit disappointed because I thought we were the better side. I said to the boys after the game you can't go away to a club like Hill of Beath, concede four goals and still expect to win the game.

"They had a very good period in the first half, we had a very good period in the second half so a draw is probably a fair result.

"A good game for the neutrals but not a good game for my heart.

"Credit to our boys for coming back but it was a real tough one to take, it felt more like a defeat at the end."

Duncan's men now travel to Pumpherston for the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup on Wednesday night.

He said: "We'll take the draw and move onto Wednesday's cup game. So, a wee break from the league and then back to league duty at home on Saturday; we want to pick up as many points as possible at home."

Duncan feels his squad have made a solid start and is still awaiting some key players to return from injury.

He continued: "If you said that [Sauchie would have seven points from nine] at the start we'd have taken that, especially considering we're not at full strength yet. We don't have Scott Davidson back, obviously Craig Comrie's missing which is going to be long term, Sam Davidson fractured his skull last week so he's going to be a wee while out as well.

"We've not had Darren Carrol this year yet; we've not had Jack Docherty. So, I think if you look at it that way we're still not full strength which is a good thing for me with those boys coming back.

"We've started well and all I keep saying to the boys is we just want to keep ourselves in the mix as long as we can."