TEN-MAN Yoker Athletic went top of the Super League First Division with a 4-3 win over Clydebank on Saturday, writes David Brockett.

Yoker had a two-goal advantage through David Crerand’s opener and Mark Maxwell’s controversial second, but Alan Vezza pulled a goal back early in the second half.

Ryan Hynes restored Yoker’s two-goal lead, with Alan Frizzell bundling in a second for Clydebank. Greg Maitland curled in a fourth for Yoker before Nicky Little’s penalty completed the seven-goal thriller.

Bankies boss Budgie McGhie made just one change to the side that beat Shotts Bon Accord, with Little replacing Frizzell in the preferred 4-3-3 formation.

Whe-Ho manager Steven Reilly made two changes to his starting line-up from the team that faced Cumbernauld, with Gary Bissland and Kenny Marshall coming in for Andy Campbell and Andy Rankin.

And it took less than a minute for Yoker to create the first golden chance of the game, but Maxwell’s effort went high over the bar.

And, after three minutes, Yoker took the lead. Marshall’s corner from the left wasn’t dealt with by the Bankies back line, with Crerand sneaking in at the back post to volley home the opener.

Midway through the first half, Yoker deservedly doubled their lead but in debatable circumstances.

Clydebank’s defensive frailties at set pieces were once again exposed, with Maxwell powering a header down into the ground. Despite Bankies keeper Josh Lumsden appearing to smother the ball on the line, referee David Dickinson ruled the ball had crossed the line.

Bankies were then forced into an early substitution, with Stevie Young replacing Joel Kasubandi who picked up a groin strain.

Just before the hour mark, Bankies hit back. A great ball into the box by Cammy Haddow was met by the head of Vezza, who deftly halved the deficit.

From the kick off, Yoker went on the attack and were awarded a penalty when Haddow tripped Maxwell inside the area. Hynes stepped up the spot, sending Lumsden the wrong way to get his ninth goal in seven games to make it 3-1.

Trailing by two goals, McGhie made a second change that saw Frizzell replace Robbie Halliday and Bankies adopt a 3-5-2 approach – which paid almost instant dividends.

Five minutes later, Clydebank grabbed a second. A quick free-kick saw Haddow slip the ball through to Burbidge who fed Nicky Little – whose shot bounced of the post – only for Frizzell to tap in from point blank range.

Almost straight after the restart, Yoker were reduced to 10 men. After dispossessing Reece McGillion, Little was cynically taken out by Gary Bissland.

Yoker were then to all but seal three points with their fourth of the game. Hynes spun Lyden and laid the ball off to Maitland, who ran at Jamie Darroch before turning and curling a shot beyond the reach of Lumsden.

With three minutes left, Bankies were awarded a spot-kick when Young was upended on the edge of the area by Andy Campbell. Little assumed responsibility, squeezing the ball past former Bankies stopper Liam Campbell to set up a grandstand finish.

Clydebank pressed for that elusive equaliser and were almost caught on the break. Henry played in Hynes, but his shot was blocked by the feet of Lumsden, with the ball bouncing off the bar and going over as Yoker secured a deserved victory to go top of the Super League First Division.

Clydebank: Lumsden, Halliday, Lyden (Biddulph), Vezza, Gow, Darroch, Burbidge, Haddow (Frizzell), Kasubandi (Young), Little, McGill.

Yoker Athletic: L.Campbell, Hadden, McGillion, Allan (A.Campbell), Ross, Henry, Crerand (Maitland), Marshall, Hynes, Maxwell (Bailey), Bissland. Rankin, Arbuckle.