YOKER ATHLETIC failed to capitalise on dominating their opening league fixture of the season, drawing 2-2 at home to Irvine Victoria on Saturday.

Manager Steven Reilly made only one change to the side which beat Maryhill a week earlier with Mark Maxwell coming back into the starting line-up.

The Whe-Ho were once again without attacking pair David Crerand and Greg Maitland, while Scott Smith was serving the first game of a four-match suspension.

The home side started brightly with early half-chances falling to the front pair of Gary Arbuckle and Ryan Hynes, while a header from skipper Gary Bissland went just over the bar.

Despite large spells of domination in the game from the hosts, it was the visitors who took the lead when Liam Campbell was harshly adjudged to have taken down a Vics player down in the box. Kevin Joyce slotted home from 12 yards to break the deadlock.

Moments later though, the Whe-Ho were level when Hynes skipped clear of two defenders before finishing coolly.

Just before half time Maxwell blazed a shot over the bar.

Athletic came out after the break and continued to dominate large spells of the match with Arbuckle passing up a good chance, shooting straight at the keeper.

Kenny Marshall replaced Maxwell on the hour to give more of an attacking threat and that contributed to the goal that put the hosts in front.

Marshall’s cross field pass found Arbuckle who cut in from the left flank before smashing home a low strike from 25 yards.

Yoker continued to dominate with Hynes and Bissland again going close before substitute Kenny Hadden’s strike stung the palms of the keeper as the Whe-Ho sought the crucial third goal to put the match to bed.

Yoker were left to regret passing up their chances with a few minutes remaining when Longair was allowed far too much space from a corner to smash home an equaliser.

The Whe-Ho threw everything at their opponents to get a winner but were thankful to Campbell’s wonder save as Vics broke on the counter.

Arbuckle then passed up a great chance late on to win it for the hosts.

The Whe-Ho will now be looking to bounce back as they travel to Cumbernauld, and a win is vital to get their league campaign up and running properly after the promise of the League Cup campaign.

Primext Ltd Man of the Match: Gary Bissland.

YOKER ATH: Campbell, Bailey, McGillion, Allan, Ross, Henry, Carson (Hadden), Maxwell (Marshalll), Arbuckle, Hynes, Bissland. Campbell, McManus, Cairns.