Stark satisfied with U21s draw

Scotland Under-21 boss Billy Stark was pleased his side maintained their unbeaten run with a goalless draw against Group 10 leaders Holland.

However, Stark admits qualifying for the European Championships remains a challenging task.

Stark's side more than held their own against the group pacesetters in Paisley on Wednesday evening, staying a point behind having taken four points out of six from the Dutch during the campaign, including a 2-1 win in Nijmegen last November.

In a match of few clear-cut chances at St Mirren Park, Johnny Russell was denied midway through the second half as Scotland missed the chance to go top of the group with matches against Bulgaria, Luxembourg and Austria to follow.

Stark said: "We've played five games and that includes two games against the Dutch. Four points from them is quite a good return.

"At the beginning we knew it was going to be a really difficult task to qualify from the group.

"We're competing fully. What we have to try to do is instil confidence to play.

"Whilst that wasn't as much in evidence in the first half, I thought in the second half we looked really threatening and that's against a team that's a world power, particularly at under-21 level. They're famed for their youth production line.

"(This) was one of those games we could've won or could've lost.

"We were consistently tested defensively and we stood up to that and we still produced moments that could've produced a goal that unfortunately just didn't get the final touch on."

With the 10 group winners and four leading runners-up advancing to a play-off - with seven teams to join hosts Israel at the 2013 finals - Scotland remain in pursuit of Holland and with a chance of advancing.

However, it could have been better as Dundee United forward Russell was played through by substitute Scott Allan, but Dutch goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet was equal to the shot.

Stark added: "That was probably the chance of the game - a great pass to put him in and you've got to give the goalkeeper credit.

"On another day he'll finish. I thought he was excellent."

Stark praised his side for their patience, with prolific striker Jordan Rhodes ploughing a lone furrow up front while marked tightly by the Dutch defence.

"I expected them to dominate possession, because that's the way they've played for many years," he said.

"They had to make sure they didn't get drawn into a really negative way of thinking because the other team had all the ball.

"They didn't create that many chances. Just before half-time the boy (Leandro Bacuna) got a full-blooded effort he probably would have scored if his team-mate hadn't got in the road.

"That was a wee break, but in the second half we did provide far more of a threat."

Stark was also happy with goalkeeper Mark Ridgers' display, the Hearts stopper having made a crucial save from Nacer Barazite.

"The save Mark Ridgers had was a good save for us," Stark added. "Mark deserves great credit for being alive and alert when he's not got real match fitness to make that save."