Draw halts Gretna’s league losing run

GRETNA FC 2008 brought their Lowland League losing run to an end on Wednesday night at home to Caledonian Braves.

The Anvils drew 1-1 with the North Lanarkshire outfit under the lights at Raydale Park.

Lennon Walker opened the scoring on three minutes for the visitors before Bobby Skinner fired home the equaliser on 41 minutes.

Although disappointed not to win the game, Gretna boss Vinnie Parker welcomed the point after a tough run which included last Saturday’s 4-0 defeat to Shotts in the South Challenge Cup.

He said: “I thought we were excellent (against Caley Braves), a lot of people in our position would have wanted to settle for a draw but we want to win games and we rolled the dice. And I feel we were unlucky not to win it.

“The goal they scored – they’re well versed in that move. Lennon Walker makes that run so well and it’s hard to combat, as much as we walked through things last night (in training).

“The lads responded really well. The boys are working really hard to get us out this situation we’re in.

“Last Saturday was a low point for us, we’re in agreement that it’s probably one of the worst performances since we’ve came here.

“We’ve kind of chalked in a wee eight game league for the next eight games. It’s a reset, that’s the way we’re looking at it.”

Parker added: “There’s a real unity here and we believe in the group that we’ve got. We just need to keep working hard and hopefully we’ll kick on.”

Gretna are back at home tomorrow afternoon for their third home game on the trot as they entertain one of the division favourites Tranent Juniors.

Parker said: “They’re a big outfit. It will be tough that’s for sure, but I’m hoping we can apply ourselves like we did against Caley Braves.

“I’m looking for another big performance and fingers crossed that’s enough to get us three points.”