Brown: My spot of luck

May 11 2008

JOHN BROWN admitted his Clyde side got lucky when they survived a "stonewall" penalty claim.

Brown's boys preserved their First Division status with goals by Gary McSwegan and Pat Clarke but at 1-0 should have conceded a spot-kick.

Early in the second half defender Chris Higgins bundled down Bryan Prunty but then to everyone's astonishment ref John Underhill waved play on.

Brown said: "That was the turning point.

"It was a stonewall penalty and if Airdrie had scored it would have put them right back in it.

"But we got away with it and achieved the target I was given when I came in here and that was to survive.

"I didn't think we started the game well so I went right through them at half time.

"I told the players they had to show they wanted to win more than Airdrie and fortunately I got a reaction.

"There wasn't a lot in it over the two games and I feel for Kenny Black and his players."

Asked if veteran McSwegan might be given another season at Broadwood, Brown joked: "Right now he's down in the dressing-room and it looks as if he has about 10 minutes to live.

"But I'll be having a word with Gary and if he's interested he could be a player who can come off the bench and do us a turn."

Airdrie could still get a chance to move up if the SPL's bottom side Gretna go bust but boss Black said: "I've only heard rumours about thatsituation, nothing official.

"We're just disappointed with the way the game went.

"We conceded the first goal too easily then had that stonewall penalty turned down which was disappointing.

"I spoke to the ref and he said there was contact but Bryan went down too easily. For me, if there's contact it's a penalty.

"That was a major decision that didn't go our way."