PORT Glasgow ended their recent run of defeats at Parklea on Saturday with this draw against East Kilbride.

But after taking the lead early in the second half through new signing Jamie McKenna, they might feel a little disappointed not to have collected all three points.

On a very tricky day for football, the fierce wind made a mockery of the game at times, and the odd spell of sleet showers made for a very difficult afternoon.

Port Glasgow were against the wind in the first half, and it was no surprise that nothing much happened in the opening 25 minutes, as the players of both sides struggled with the conditions.

It was the Port who created the first real opportunity, when a neat passing move between Ross Kearns, McKenna and returning midfielder Kevin McKay put McKenna in a shooting position.

But the striker’s tame effort was comfortably held by visiting keeper Chris Treacy.

A minute later McKenna rounded the keeper but then stumbled to the ground, with the visitors claiming the striker had dived, while pointing out that their own centre-forward had been booked for diving just minutes before.

However, referee Richard Murray was unmoved.

It was all Port Glasgow now, as Gus Gault had a shot parried away by keeper Treacy, while McKay latched on to a Paul Coyle corner but sent his curling shot just over the bar.

The best chance of the half fell to Graham Black on 37 minutes, when a flick from Kearns sent him through on goal, but the striker skied his shot well over.

In the second half the Port had the strong wind at their backs, and they took the lead just two minutes in.

Black collected the ball out on the right, and cut inside before blasting in a shot which was blocked by keeper Treacy. But McKenna was on hand to pounce on the loose ball and fire home from close range.

McKay then had a chance to match McKenna in the debut goal stakes, but took a little too long on the ball and the opportunity was lost.

It was all the Port at this stage, although the home keeper, new signing Ian Nixon, was brought into action with a good block from a shot by Garry O’Hanlon.

But East Kilbride equalised on 67 minutes. Another O’Hanlon shot was saved by Nixon, but the rebound went straight back to him, and he squared the ball into the box to give Craig Miles a simple tap-in from a few yards out.

East Kilbride had their tails up now, and Nixon had to come to the rescue again with a good save to prevent Miles from adding to his goal tally.

But the last two efforts on goal in the closing stages came from the Port, with a Paul Gordon pile-driver on 87 minutes deflected for a corner, and a shot from substitute Steven McAfee from outside the box going just over.

Manager Craig Brown said: “I am really disappointed we didn’t win the game, as over the piece we were the better team and had the better chances.

“But I am reasonably happy that we played well and stopped the rot.’’ Brown was pleased with the displays of his three new signings, with McKenna getting the Port’s goal on his debut.

The former Greenock striker said: “It was great to get a goal in my first match for Port Glasgow and to help the team get a point.

“It’s always a challenge when you come to a new club, but I know a lot of the boys here already and am looking forward to getting more game time in the weeks ahead.” PORT GLASGOW: Nixon, Gordon, Coyle, Walton, McClement, Gault (Grana 75), Kearns, McKay, McKenna, Black (McAfee 83), Jamieson (McCormick 72). Subs not used: Bowie, Sharpe.

Port Glasgow Juniors are sponsored by Regents Vehicle Sales, Greenock, and MAC HSL Ltd.