CUMNOCK were desperately unlucky not to take full points from what is always a difficult trip to Pollok.

But the visitors took it all in their stride, even after losing Keiron Wood to an early injury, and created ample opportunities in the 1-1 draw.

Chris Flanagan, deputising for boss Peter Leonard who was on holiday, said: “I think in terms of balance of the play, Pollok had plenty of the ball but we definitely had the better chances.

“There were two in the first half in particular, then a couple just at the end of the second where we could have taken all three points which would have been a good result.

“I am not overly disappointed with the point but if we had taken the chances that we created, then we would have won the match.

“This is not an easy place to come to and I thought the boys scrapped and fought for every ball.

“One disappointment was that, when we were in possession of the ball, sometimes we could have been better with our passing or keeping hold of it.”

This is the first time that Flanagan has taken charge of Cumnock in Peter Leonard’s absence, although he has done so when they worked together at Girvan.

He said: “Peter loves his holidays so I am used to this. It was actually here (at Pollok) the last time he was away when we were with Girvan.

“He was in Dubai then. This time he is in Thailand. But I actually have quite a good record while he is on holiday.”

Another major factor in Cumnock’s performance was the return of Scott Anson whose determination in the box won the equalising spot-kick.

Flanagan said: “If that had been my keeper involved I would have been looking for him to come out and collect the ball a lot earlier.

“But Scott has done really well to win us the penalty and he has used his experience well to make the challenge which forces the keeper to make contact.

“To be fair to Scott, he hasn’t played for a few weeks and when he got his chance today he worked hard and put himself around.

“He deserved a break because he has been putting a hard shift in at training. His physical presence up front, and defensively, is a plus.

“Pollok had a couple of big guys out there today who pose a threat at set-pieces and suchlike so that was the reason Scott played from the start.”

Striker Anson also spoke to the Chronicle after the final whistle, and agreed with his gaffer’s assessment of the match.

He said: “Before the game, when you come here, you would have taken a point but the way we performed in the first half we had the better chances.

“Paul Burns had a good chance, then in the second half we had more chances and put a lot of pressure on Pollok.

“We played high balls, forced corners and free-kicks and battled well. We are on a wee run just now, I have been out for three weeks and it was good to get back in, so hopefully I can also get a run going and kick on for the team.

“As long as we keep picking up points, we will be able to look upward in the table rather than down the way.

“No disrespect to Wishaw but our match on Saturday gives us a chance to build our confidence even more as we look to make home advantage count.”