SCOTLAND’S Under-19s side surrendered a two-goal lead as they were held to a 2-2 draw by the Czech Republic in an international challenge match at Cappielow last night.

Ricky Sbragia’s teenagers begin the qualifying process for the 2015 Euro Under-19 Championship next month in which they will compete in a group with Lithuania, Norway and Finland.

This friendly staged at the home of Morton was their final act of preparation before embarking on that quest.

The team, including local lad Ryan Sinnamon at right-back, made a positive start and opened the scoring after 19 minutes when Harry Cardwell netted with a fine looping header.

The Reading striker slotted home a second following a slick exchange involving Celtic pair Liam Henderson and Paul McMullan to double the young Scots’ advantage six minutes before the break.

But, in what proved to be a pivotal moment in the 90 minutes, Sparta Prague hitman Patrik Schick lashed an angled drive past Liverpool keeper Ryan Fulton right on the stroke of half-time.

Czech No 11 Schick completed the comeback with a close-range finish on 72 minutes following good work from left-back Ales Mateja.

Despite seeing his side pegged back, Sbragia, who spent a short spell on loan at Morton in the 1970s, was pleased with the performance.

He said: “I thought we did really well. They were a good strong, physical team with good players. We’ve had a few chances and they’ve had a few chances, so I think a draw was a fair result.” Scotland (4-4-1-1): Fulton (Kelly, 46); Sinnamon, Lavelle (Grant, 56), McKenna ©, Waters; McMullan (Wright, 65), Storie (Dykes, 65), McManus (Jakubiak, 56), Beith (Nesbitt, 65); Henderson (Muirhead, 56); Cardwell (Martin, 56).

Subs not used: Dryden.

Czech Republic (4-4-1-1): Vorel; Sisa, Takacs ©, Kodr, Mateju; Sadilek (Trubac, 72), Kulhanek (Galuska, 59), Jankto, Cerny (Valenta, 72); Buchvaldek (Januska, 72); Schick.

Subs not used: Stanek, Tomi, Medvedev. Booking: Kodr (54).

Attendance: 362.