Clydebank Post | Sport | CONTROVERSIAL LATE KILLER BLOW

Thursday, 8th January, 2009

Published: Wednesday, 17th September, 2008 10:20

CONTROVERSIAL LATE KILLER BLOW

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Kilsyth 1 Clydebank 1

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A dubious free-kick, conceded by Jerry Packham (behind Mark Maxwell) led to a Kilsyth equaliser at the death

CLYDEBANK left Kilsyth feeling as if they had lost rather than picked up a valuable away point which maintained their unbeaten start to the league campaign.

A dramatic — and controversial — last-minute equaliser from the home side left Budgie McGhie’s men feeling robbed.

They had been the better side in a tough match, before taking a deserved lead with just five minutes left.

So to see two points slip from their grasp with seconds to play was hard to take for the Bankies boss.

“I am really disappointed we weren’t able to see out the match from a winning position so late on,” he told Sport scene. “Their goal was preventable but we switched off and it cost us two points.

“If we want to do anything in this league we have to be able to win matches like this.”

Clear-cut chances were few and far between in a fiercely competitive match, but Kilsyth dangerman Andy Thomson hit the bar with a header and fizzed a shot past the post before Clydebank got going.

On the half hour, the visitors had a great chance to open the scoring when Andy Selkirk was felled in the box for a penalty.

Skipper Alan Jack, usually so assured from the spot, hit it well enough but keeper Michael Duke guessed right to parry the ball to safety.

Clydebank, with John Jack dominant in midfield, were growing stronger as the match progressed.

Paul Allum was inches away from converting a fine cross from Mark Maxwell as they kept up the momentum after the break.

The breakthrough came after McGhie had brought on Martin McIntyre (left) to push for a winner.

The young midfielder was first to react when Duke failed to deal with a Gary Lynn free kick, heading into the empty net from six yards.

It looked like being enough to take all three points.

But a minute from time, the referee saw an infringement when Jerry Packham headed clear on the edge of the box and awarded a free-kick.

Andy Thomson’s shot was saved by Stefan Gonet but the Bankies defence were slow to react and could not prevent sub William Baird netting the follow up.

The Clydebank dugout was raging at the referee for giving the award in the first place but the subsequent poor defending also provoked the scorn of McGhie and his coaches.

Bankies take a break from league action on Saturday and head to Bellshill in the West of Scotland Cup.

Clydebank: Gonet, Sinclair, Lynn, Packham, McIntyre, Allum, John Jack, Alan Jack, Maxwell (McIntyre), Hailstones, Selkirk.

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