Clydebank manager Gordon Moffat believes his side proved their critics wrong with a 1-0 win at Hurlford United on Saturday. 

A goal on the stroke of half time from Nicky Little was the difference between the sides in a game hampered by the conditions, with the game played in windy conditions after passing a pitch inspection earlier that morning.

The result was also the Bankies first victory at Blair Park since 2013 – when a certain Moffat was on the scoresheet as the visitors secured a 3-1 win. 

The Holm Park side have had their fair share of critics in recent months after a run of just five wins since the turn of the year ended their title hopes.

Clydebank remain on top of the Premier Division by six points but the likes of Beith, Auchinleck Talbot and Darvel look set to battle it out for top spot with their games in hand.

For Moffat, it’s now all about eclipsing last seasons points target of 52 with his side currently on 51 points with just two games left as he hopes his players get credit for their battling performance.

Speaking to the Post, he said: “We had the wind advantage in the first half and didn’t really let Hurlford out of their half but as the game went on we were thinking we had to take advantage at some point, and we should have been further ahead. 

“We knew what to expect in the second half but I didn’t want us to sit in and defend so we wanted to offer a threat on the counter that the boys carried out really well. 

“We’ve really struggled there in the past so to put in the performance we did and get a clean sheet tells you how well the boys did. 

“They have taken a wee bit of criticism recently, some of it warranted and some maybe not so much, which has stung them. 

“Playing for this club means you have to be able to handle the expectation and they were really keen to go and show that. They stood up to it on Saturday. 

“We never showed up last week at Troon so the guys got a bit of criticism, and they need to take that, but on the flipside they deserve a huge amount of praise for their performance on Saturday. 

“We’ve surpassed the 50-point mark which isn’t easy to do in this league. I know it doesn’t overly mean anything but I’m looking for us to improve on our tally form last season.”

Clydebank face a long wait before their next league fixture with St Cadoc’s their next opponents on May 4.

Moffat will keep his side ticking over in that time but admits the nearly month long gap between games is something he would rather not have to face at this time of the season.

He added: “It’s a far from ideal situation we are in. 

“We’ll be in training this week as normal and then give the guys a week off before coming back for a couple of friendlies.”