UPBEAT Annbank United boss Barry Ross praised his team for their fighting spirit as they battled back from a second half deficit to take a point in one of only two junior football matches to be played in Ayrshire on Saturday.

With Storm Dennis doing its worst to batter the Ayrshire coastline, the village club headed to the relative tranquillity of Cambusdoon Sports Club to take on Saltcoats Victoria in a League Two match.

Annbank took an early lead through Liam Fitzsimmons before Vics levelled just after the break and went ahead before a last gasp goal from Jordan Ryan ensured a draw.

Ross said: “We have a young team but have shown some improvement this season and when we were leading I was hoping we could pick up three straight wins for the third time since I have come to the club but Saltcoats battled back.

“We kept battling away until the end and I was hoping we could take something from it.”

“The ball took a deflection off Jordan but he is claiming it.”

The manager hopes his team could challenge for promotion next season.

He said: “The aim this season is to finish as strongly as we can and hopefully we can get back to our home ground New Pebble Park if it’s a bit dryer next month.

“The aim next season will be to try and challenge for promotion.”