The Under-18s picked up their first away point of the CAS Under-18 Elite League with a deserved 1-1 draw at Hamilton Accies.

The hosts took the lead seven minutes before the interval, but United responded strongly in the second half with Fin Malcolm netting his fourth goal of the season.

The Young Terrors should’ve been ahead after just two minutes when Malcolm robbed the defender of the ball on the edge of Hamilton’s box. He picked out Rory MacLeod with his cross, but the striker failed to take the chance as he fired wide.

In the sixth minute, Lewis O’Donnell whipped in a corner which eventually fell to Malcolm, but he fired well over the bar.

Hamilton had their first shot on goal in the 19th minute as a poor United pass allowed them to counter. The striker drove forward into the middle and looked to bend his shot into the bottom corner, but Ruairidh Adams parried it wide with a solid save.

Adam Hutchinson produced a defence-splitting pass in the 24th minute which almost had Malcolm clear through on goal but was only able to win a corner which United couldn’t capitalise on.

In the 28th minute, Hutchinson and Malcolm would combine again to win a corner which almost put United in front. The keeper punched the initial delivery only as far as MacLeod but his shot was blocked on the line by the last defender.

Hamilton made a tactical change shortly after the half-hour mark and it paid dividends as the sub fired them ahead in the 38th minute with a bending shot into the bottom corner.

The hosts could’ve doubled their lead right after half time as a low cross into the box wasn’t dealt with. The ball bounced across the face of goal but Adams was able to sweep it up before a Hamilton shirt capitalised.

United's equaliser would come from a free-kick in the 51st minute. Flynn Duffy produced an excellent delivery from the left-wing, which found Malcolm at the front post who bundled it home.

Hamilton should’ve retaken the lead in the 59th minute when poor defending from a corner allowed the striker to turn and shoot in the box, but he was well off target with his finish.

But United should’ve found themselves ahead in the 71st minute as Lennon Walker’s cross evaded everyone in the box except O’Donnell, but the young midfielder pulled his first time shot high over the bar.

Despite United’s numerous attempts as the game wore on, they were unable to find the winner before the full-time whistle.

“As a game we should’ve won that,” said Adams. “We had that in the grasp of our hands but we just couldn’t take our chances are the right times. We defended well for the whole game but attacking wise there is a lot we can still improve on - that’s been the story of our season.

“The lack of goals this season is putting us as a team under pressure so we have to try and improve on that next week against Aberdeen. There are a few chances that just have to go in, especially at this level.

"In these games that we’re needing points in because of our poor start to the season we need to be taking our chances. We could’ve easily won by four or five but, instead, we’re coming away with a draw because we didn’t take clear cut opportunities.

“As a group we’re perfectionists. We want wins, we want points, we want to push the best but we’ve not been getting that.”

While the young goalkeeper was disappointed in the inability to get more goals, he was happy with the defensive display and credited the work of his teammates since arriving at United.

He added: “I’ve been the most comfortable I’ve ever been in a backline since arriving a few months ago. Regardless of who is playing in defence, because we have very good options, they’re always so strong and make my life easier. I hope I’ve repaid the favour with some of my saves.

“It’s not been the season we wanted but I have really been enjoying my time at United so far. The boys welcomed me in straight off the bat, the coaches have been really accommodating with anything I need and helped make me more comfortable coming into a new group.

“I’m taking things out of every game no matter if I get a clean sheet or concede. It’s completely different to boys club level so I’ve learnt something in every game so far this season. I’m improving as a footballer with my feet and as a goalkeeper thanks to Neil Alexander too.”

Next up for the Young Terrors is an away trip to Aberdeen on Tuesday 11th May.

Team: Ruairidh Adams; Layton Bisland, Jacob Comerford, Adam Hutchinson (C), Flynn Duffy; Rhys Caves, Flynn Duffy, Lewis O'Donnell (sub Shaun Brown), Miller Thomson (sub Lennon Walker), Trialist; Rory MacLeod (sub Stuart Heenan) and Fin Malcolm

Unused subs: Sam Lovie, Dominik Naglik, Trialist

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