St Cuthbert Wanderers’ youngsters stand tall to draw with Nithsdale Wanderers

St Cuthbert Wanderers’ youngsters stood tall to claim a point against title chasing Nithsdale Wanderers.

The Kirkcudbright side led 2-1 at the break thanks to goals from Archie Campbell and Carter Neil, their opponents also having a man sent off.

Nithsdale hit back in the second half and were heading for a 3-2 win, Saints having had Owen Hall dismissed, before Leighton Mcfadyen’s goal earned the hosts a point.

Craig Rudd, who is taking the Saints team with Raymond Gordon and Ally McMillan, said: “At the end we had four 16-year-olds on the pitch, a 17-year-old and a 19-year-old.

“We couldn’t be prouder of them to show that character against an intimidating side.

“We knew they’d be fired up for the second half having just had a man sent off and they turned it into a physical game, which is what we expected from the start.

“It turned into a battle and we got sucked into it. It suited Nithsdale and they went 3-2 up but for the third week in a row we’ve been competitive and the character from the boys to come back was absolutely brilliant.

“We were delighted with a point at the end and right at the end the keeper Kenneth Davis made a great save from Sean McKenzie.

“It was a good team effort to get a point against a good, experienced teams.”

Saints are looking into appealing Hall’s dismissal for a second booking as they don’t believe he was shown a yellow card earlier in the game.

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This weekend they go to bottom club Wigtown in the first round of the Cree Lodge Cup.

Rudd said: “It’s massive, we have to win or the season finishes on March 15 and none of the boys want to be sitting for three months doing nothing.

“We have to try to get a result to keep the season