FRASER DUNCAN admits his side were "lucky" to leave the capital last weekend with a share of the spoils.

After a month of fixtures postponed due to bad weather, it was back to league duty for Sauchie Juniors in a trip to Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale in Edinburgh.

And while Duncan’s side took the lead three times with goals from Danny Smith, Ross Kavanagh and Scott Davidson but Hutchy found a way to equalise each time.

However, the Sauchie gaffer insists it would have been unfair if the Reds had ran out winners on the day.

Sauchie were awarded an early penalty but Hutchy quickly levelled before visitors took the lead again.

A second half penalty for handball came for the home side to even things out again before some last minute drama saw Sauchie score late on.

It looked like all three points would be heading back to Sauchie but it wasn’t to be as Hutchy scored in the final minutes of the game to see out a 3-3 draw.

The Sauchie boss told Advertiser Sport he was disappointed to lose the lead three times but was happy to salvage a point from the performance.

He said: “Hutchy were sharper today, they were more at it – I felt they were the better side and should’ve won the game.

“We were lucky. We could’ve had the ultimate train robbery and come away with the three points but it wasn’t to be.

“We got a point and we will just need to suck ourselves up and see if we can train and see what we conjure up for next week.”

Despite Sauchie firing up top, there were times the team was cut open defensively and were off the mark, with a second half penalty for handball giving Hutchy the chance to equalise.

Sauchie have been unable to train over the past month due to the weather and the closure of some facilities across Clackmannanshire and Fraser felt a point was a fair result.

“Our boys have come back after the break and come here which is a tough place to come – Hutchy Vale are a good side. Their position in the league doesn’t reflect their quality,” he added.

“For us today, we weren’t at it as much as them. They were pressing harder, they were winning balls more, getting into better areas. They were going a bit further than us though which is the frustrating bit.

“Again though, we’ve had chances to win it and they’ve had chances to win it. I’m disappointed to get a point but I’d rather a point than zero.

“It’s been a difficult day for us but we’ve got a point and we were lucky.”

A positive to be taken from the game was the debut of right back Lucas Williamson who joined on loan from East Fife until the end of the season.

Sauchie will have a week’s reprieve before being back in action away to Penicuik on Saturday, January 14, with the boss highlighting another tough away trip for the team.

“Another difficult game, they’re a good side. We’ve got to go and compete with these teams, we need to go to these places and pick up points.

“It will be a challenge, Penicuik are a very good side. We need a hard week’s training to get us sharp and we need to make sure we’re good to go.”