SAUCHIE shared a point with Jeanfield Swifts following a second-half comeback from the hosts at Riverside Stadium.

Manager Fraser Duncan returned to the dugout, making three changes, the most notable of which was giving goalkeeper Keir Burt the nod for his second start of the season.

The two sides started lively, with Sauchie having chances from Mark Smith and then Ross Kavanagh, both of which went over the bar.

The hosts attacked with Matthew Cullerton and Christopher Dodd, but Burt and defender Connor Willaghan disposed of these attempts.

The eventual breakthrough was broken at the 20-minute mark, Smith heading a Kavanagh cross into the back of the net at the far post.

Jeanfield piled on the pressure, looking for a quick response with chances coming, Archie Campbell going one-on-one with the Sauchie goalkeeper, and Burt deflecting the opportunity behind.

Sauchie would then double their lead, a mistake from opposition goalkeeper Cole Arnold and his defender gave Jack Fisher a shot from close range which he slotted home with ease.

On his side’s first-half performance, Duncan told Advertiser Sport, “We were very impressed at half-time, thought we dominated the game, we limited Jeanfield to one or two breaks up the park.

“I thought we were well on top, and then Keir has pulled off one really good save when their striker got in.”

A resolute Swifts came out in the second-half, just seconds after the break found themselves with a goal back, Ross Philp scoring inside the box. 

Trying to restore the two-goal cushion, Mikey Cunningham had a free-kick pushed wide and away from danger by the Jeanfield goalkeeper.

The comeback was complete when Jeanfield’s unmarked captain Aaron Whitehead, leapt high at the corner to header home. 

Determined not to let the result remain as it was, Sauchie searched for a third, substitute Aaron Isaacs having a chance but comfortably gathered by Arnold.

Kavanagh would also have an attempt at the free-kick following a foul on Ross Hutchison in a dangerous area, the striker firing wide of the mark.

Duncan believed his side gained some second wind: “I think after Jeanfield have scored the second goal, we’ve started again and came back into the game.

“For the last fifteen, twenty minutes, I would say we were more the team that look like winning the game, we played most of it in their half.”

Attentions for Sauchie now turn to their Scottish Cup tie against Culter, a 2:30pm kick-off at Crombie Park in Peterculter with a place in the first round at stake.