Clyde 3-0 Stirling Albion

Apr 27 2008 Rob Fairburn At Broadwood

BRASSED-OFF Bully Wee boss John Brown watched his troops record their highest win of the season but still plunge into the dreaded play-offs.

Despite the victory over doomed Binos, Clyde will play Alloa away on Wednesday evening before the semi-final second-leg crunch on Saturday at Broadwood.

In the end Clyde failed to guarantee First Division safety by just one goal as a result of Morton's 3-0 win at Firhill.

Adding to the agony at Broadwood was a false rumour that swept the stands claiming arch rivals Partick Thistle had scored a late consolation goal, sparking scenes of jubilation among the home support.

A first Clyde goal for Gary McSwegan and a Pat Clarke brace won this match and afterwards Brownwas proud of his side's showing.

He said: "We had chances and forced their keeper into a few saves so it was in our hands but we came up short.

"I don't know where the shouts that Partick had scored came from but I don't think I can ask for much more from the boys.

"Congratulations go to Morton and Davie Irons for staying in the league but to be fair they have a bigger budget than us.

"Wednesday is a massive match against Alloa but we will be alright if the players display the same attitude as they did today.

"The first leg will be on a plastic pitch but the tie is decided over two games and we have to be ready.

"Jimmy Gibson won't be fit after coming off injured and one or two others are doubts but Neil McGregor will be available again."

It's hard to imagine amore frustrating day for Clyde fans in their 131-year history.

But it was also the end of a season to forget for Stirling boss Allan Moore as his side are Second Division-bound.

He said: "The game was the story of our season, a real Jekyll and Hyde. We were great against St Johnstone in midweek and woeful today.

"It was just bad defending and that's why we are bottom of the league."

The action kicked off in blustery conditions with both sides struggling to get into any kind of rhythm.

Clyde were first to settle though and in seven minutes David McKay narrowly failed to get on the end of a curling Billy Gibson cross.

With 18 minutes on the clock Gibson was again the provider for McSwegan but his low shot came off keeper Scott Christie's legs.

On the half-hour McSwegan delivered a delightful ball to the far post to pick out Clarke but he mis-hit with the goal gaping.

Former Rangers hero Jorg Albertz then drilled in a low piledriver that skidded across the face of goal.

But with 60 seconds left of the first half Clyde got the breakthrough when Stirling keeper Christie had a rush of blood and raced off his line to smother a through-ball.

In order not to slide out of the box he released the ball inviting the alert McSwegan to accept a simple tap-in.

With Morton winning 2-0 at the break it still looked a hopeless task for Clyde to edge past on goal difference.

However, they got a major boost a minute after the restart when sub Michael McGowan, on for Albertz, swept a delightful ball across the goal and Clarke rammed home at the far post.

The home side piled on the pressure but were dealt a blow with the news that Morton had gone three goals up at Firhill meaning a two goal swing was still needed in the Bully Wee's favour.

Brown's battling side were running out of time and went on to squander a series of chances with Binos keeper Christie in outstanding form to keep them at bay.

Yet Clyde were given a glimmer of hope with seven minutes to play when Clarke waltzed into the box and was tripped by Andrew Graham.

The big hitman dusted himself down and sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot to seal victory.

MoM: McKay (Clyde)