Draw keeps ’Frew safe but result is not good enough, says gaffer

Three tough games this week will seal their fate

Mick Hydes

Renfrew edged closer to survival in their first season back in the Super Leagues following a draw with rivals Yoker at New Western Park.

Co- manager Colin Clark was disappointed that his side could not hold on to grab the win

After the game, he told Express Sport: “We just did not play well in the first half as we could not keep the ball and our shape was all wrong.

“We dominated the second half as we started to keep the ball and got crosses into their box.

“We scored two quick goals to take the lead, but we did not deal well with the game after that.

“We allowed them back into it and that is the way we have been recently, giving points away.

“Over the last three games, we really could have had nine points but, instead, we just picked up two.

“We still need points, so will have to keep it going to make ourselves mathematically safe.

“It will be a busy week and we have to stop giving away silly goals.

“We really need to stay in this league and we have three games coming up this week.

“We are carrying a few knocks, so the players will have to sacrifice themselves a little bit to help us get over the line as it is a very important week for the club.”

Renfrew took a second-minute lead when Scott Morton poked home a loose ball from a corner, although Kerr Allan equalised inside six minutes by nodding home at close range from another corner.

Yoker managed to force themselves in front seconds before the break when Mark McManus was left unmarked at the far post to head home Andy Rankin’s deep cross.

Chris Zok produced a piece of magic with an overhead kick to force ’Frew back into contention with 20 minutes remaining and they took the lead again seven minutes later when Morton grabbed his second goal of the afternoon when racing onto Darren Jones knock-on.

However, former Queen’s Park striker Ryan Hynes grabbed the final word with an equaliser with a header from David Ramsay’s cross, leaving ’Frew disappointed.

In a late surge to attempt to grab a winner, Jamie Benton forced a good save and Anton Heffron’s header from a last minute corner smacked against the cross-bar.

’ Frew’s busy end- of- season schedule involved a trip to Irvine Meadow last night, followed by a trip to Blantyre Victoria on Wednesday before facing Shotts at home on Saturday. The final fixture away to Girvan still has to be arranged.

Renfrew: Burgess, Barbour (Mulgrew 50), Gallagher, Heffron, O’Keefe, Wylie (Jones 62), Fitzharris, Zok, Morton, Benton.

Subs not used: Gordon, Forbes and Cairns.