YOKER 1 GREENOCK 1 YOKER Athletic had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Greenock at Holm Park on Monday night.

The away side had the better of the first half and took the lead just before the interval. But the Whe-Ho came back in the second period and got an early equaliser.

The home side came out the traps flying and almost snatched an early lead when a header from Shaun Kelly was scrambled clear by the Greenock defence, with referee Thomas Clark turning down Yoker claims that the ball had crossed the line.

But Greenock then gained the upper hand and went ahead in the 36th minute.

Home keeper Gareth Watson did well to block a Kenny Munro shot, but the ball rebounded to Sean Doherty, whose header hit the underside of the bar and dropped just over the line.

Yoker had the ball in the net just two minutes later through Martin Hardie, but referee Clark had signalled for a foul by Hardie, which led to the ex-pro being booked for his protests.

But the home side bagged a legitimate goal six minutes into the second half, when a corner kick sailed over the Greenock defence to the unmarked John Harvey, who slotted home from close range.

Thereafter the play was fast and furious, with Yoker forcing a series of corners which came to nothing, and Greenock trying to catch them on the break.

The last chance of the evening fell to Yoker sub Mark McManus, but the veteran striker’s shot was turned round the post by Greenock keeper Ryan McWilliams.

A point does little to alleviate Yoker’s relegation fears, they are now seven points from safety.