The shock win moves Bankies to within three points of relegation rivals Shotts Bon Accord and Kilbirnie Ladeside and gives their hopes of staying up a massive boost.

Former Annan pair Davidson and Carcary linked up well in a 4-4-1-1 formation that saw David Verlaque make his debut for the club at right back. Andy Paterson reverted to left back while Scott Walker partnered Phil Barclay in the centre of midfield.

Bankies got off to the best possible start, taking the lead after four minutes. After tenacious play from Barclay, the stand in skipper slipped the ball to Scott Davidson who coolly slotted past Shepard to put the visitors in front.

Meadow had the chance to respond less than 90 seconds later when Mark Thomson curled a free kick from the edge of the area around the wall, but Robert Hamilton was equal to it and pushed the ball to safety. Chris Hall then had an effort comfortably saved by Hamilton as the league leaders looked to find a way back into the match.

Mid-way through the first half, Meadow squandered their best chance to get level. After a ball caught out the Bankies’ back four, man of the match Andy Paterson threw himself in front of Ryan Deas’ shot as Bankies breathed a sigh of relief.

Clydebank were awarded a penalty on the half hour mark when Jordan Shelvey was caught by Marc Twaddle in the area. Derek Carcary assumed responsibility, he sent Shepard the wrong way to double Bankies’ lead.

After a lacklustre first half from Meadow, the home side started the second half brighter but were reduced to 10 men when Mark Staunton was shown a second yellow card for bringing Shelvey down on the edge of the area.

Then came a moment of madness as Meadow mobbed referee Stephen Brown after the official turned down their claim for what appeared to be a stonewall penalty kick when Shelvey chopped down Gary McCann as he prepared to shoot.

Meadow did pull a goal back on the hour mark through Chris Hall. A ball over the top from Deas caught out the Bankies’ defence and Hall lobbed the onrushing Hamilton to half the deficit.

The 10 men of Meadow pushed for the equaliser and were unfortunate not to get it when substitute Sawyers’ shot cannoned off the post, with Paterson on hand to clear the rebound.

Clydebank had a number of opportunities to put the result beyond doubt but a series of poor misses led to a nervy finish.

First, Barclay tried to lob Shepard after a defensive mix-up saw the midfielder one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but his effort dropped wide.

Davidson had numerous chances to add to his debut goal, twice trying to lift the ball over Shepard but to no avail. On the stroke of full time his chipped effort bounced off the woodwork and substitute Sean Stewart headed wide as Clydebank clinched their first away victory of the season.