RICKY SBRAGIA was pleased with a promising performance from his side as Scotland Under-19s drew 2-2 with the Czech Republic last night.

Two goals from striker Harry Cardwell looked to have the Dark Blues on course for the victory at Cappielow but the Czechs fought back as Patrik Schick netted either side of the break to earn the visitors a share of the spoils.

The under-19s kick off their bid to reach the European Championship finals in Greece next month and could have warmed up in perfect style as a couple of chances to clinch the win came and went late on.

Sbragia said: "They are a good team - a strong, physical team with good players.

"In the first half, I thought we did exceptionally well. There was some good play and we scored a great first goal.

"I thought they were a credit and we couldn't have asked any more of them.

"We changed it a bit at half-time and at 60 minutes but we were always going to do that, we wanted to change the formation a bit and see how we coped."

It took the Dark Blues just 19 minutes to get themselves ahead in Greenock as Cardwell got the first of a well-taken brace.

A pinpoint cross from Celtic's Connor McManus found the Reading kid in the area and he rose well to head beyond keeper Vojtech Vorel to give Scotland a deserved lead.

After Schick saw his headed effort saved by Ryan Fulton, Liam Henderson twice tried his luck from range as he looked to hammer home the Scots' advantage.

His first effort curled away from Vorel's left-hand post but his second was much closer, a deft dink from the edge of the area going just over the bar as the Celtic protege was left frustrated.

Scotland didn't have to wait long for the second of the night, however, Cardwell finishig coolly after collecting Parkhead kid Paul McMullan's pass.

Scotland were worthy of their two-goal advantage but the Czechs looked dangerous when they got into the first third and they would get themselves back into the game just before the break.

After seeing his earlier effort saved, it was to prove second time lucky for Schick as he latched on to Jakub Jankto's pass and finished with aplomb into the far corner of Fulton's net.

It wasn't long before Sbragia turned to his bench to ring the changes as he looked to give his squad a run out and, after a couple of half chances came to nothing, the Czechs pulled themselves level.

Scotland failed to clear their lines as the ball bobbled around the area and Schick was on hand to fire past sub keeper Liam Kelly of Rangers from close range to follow Cardwell's lead and bag his second of the night.

Sbragia said: "Harry led the line well. It is difficult up there and he is a good player.

"He has been injured for a little while but he is a handful and a goal scorer, that is why Reading paid a bit of money for him to take him away from Hull.

"He is a young kid who has a lot to learn but when he plays for Reading at 19s or 21s he scores goals."