THE Pupils travelled to Anniesland on Saturday to face league leaders Kilpatrick and returned with a creditable point after the game finished one each.
A bitterly cold, near gale force wind made it very difficult for the players on the excellent playing surface, and there were very few clear cut chances during the game.
The Pupils had to face the wind during the first half and Kilpatrick soon had them under extreme pressure.
It was all hands to the pump as the Pupils defended with great determination.
The three central defenders, Craig Colville, Shaun Grumoli and Lewis McKay along with Mark Barrett and David Anderson in the full back roles were frustrating the home-side time and again as they soaked up the pressure.
The Pupils also had a bit of a good fortune in the 26 minute when a Craig Colville clearance came crashing back off the cross bar.
With only six minutes to half time the Pupils conceded a very soft goal.
A harmless cross into the box looked as though it could be cleared but the ball bounced through to goalkeeper Neil McKay, it slipped from his grasp and Sweeney scored into an empty net.
In the second half it was the home-side that had to face the elements as the roles were reversed with the wind at the Pupils’ back.
The Pupils were too anxious at times as they tried to find the equaliser. Passes were overhit and the two Pupils’ wide players, Alan Sincalir and Fraser Wylie found it very difficult with their crossing.
The equaliser came in the 76 minute with Craig Sloey who had come on earlier as a sub was brought down in the box and the referee awarded the Pupils a penalty kick.
Shaun Grumoli stepped up to take the penalty and he scored with a superb effort high into the top corner.
Sloey almost won it for the Pupils in the dying minutes by the goalkeeper turned his low-drive round the post and the teams had to settle for a draw.
This result leaves the Pupils seven points behind Kilpatrick but the Pupils still have two games in hand.
Kilpatrick have four games left with the Pu-pils having four out of their six to be played at home.
With three teams being promoted this season to the premier division the Pupils have it in their own hands for a return to the Scottish Amateur Football League Elite Division.
Tomorrow (Saturday) the Pupils are at home to Glasgow side, Shawlands, kick off 2.30pm at Kintyre Park.
