Published: Wednesday, 10th March, 2010 2:00pm

Cup heartache for Bankies

CLOSE SHAVE: Chris Mackie and the rest of the team turned in a fine performance, but it was not enough

Vale of Clydebank...1

Clydebank...0

A LATE sucker punch from nine-man Vale of Clyde ended Bankies' West of Scotland Cup hopes.

Budgie McGhie's side turned in a performance that was, for spells, as good as any this season.

But they paid the price for too many squandered chances and a second half penalty miss from skipper Gary Lynn.

Gaffer McGhie made changes from the line-up that knocked Auchinleck Talbot out of the Scottish Cup in their last outing.

Martin McInnes was pushed into midfield and Chris Mackie and Stevie Dymock were paired up front.

Clydebank were on the front foot from the referee's first whistle and only a brilliant stop from Vale's Stevie Johnstone denied Brian Smith an early opener.

Thomas Sinclair almost broke the deadlock for the home side but an outstanding Stefan Gonet save kept out the midfielder's rasping 25-yard free kick.

The Bankies' number one was rarely troubled again in a first half the visitors dominated.

Dymock should have scored after a great run but his weakly hit shot was easily stopped by Johnstone and the Vale keeper blocked Nicky Cairney's effort as McGhie's men piled on the pressure.

Mackie then had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside before the striker missed the target from two yards out after a great move that opened up the home defence.

It was hard to believe the teams were still level at the break.

It was a more even contest in the second half and even more eventful.

Lynn had a great chance to put Bankies ahead when second half sub Stevie Dallas was hauled down in the box for a penalty.

But his powerful spot kick came back off the inside of the post and Johnstone's goal remained unbreached.

Vale of Clyde - who play a division above the Bankies - had two men ordered off in what turned into a fiercely competitive cup tie and with a superior numerical advantage it looked as if they would at least see the match out.

The tie was only one minute away from being decided by penalty kicks when Clydebank were camped around the Vale's penalty box.

But the ball broke to livewire striker Keiran Downs and he ran from his own half, outstripping the visitors' defence, before netting the winner past Gonet.

It was a cruel blow and one Bankies did not deserve. They had played well and created lots of chances.

But with bigger prizes - the Emirates Scottish Cup and promotion - within their grasp, a West of Scotland Cup exit wasn't too hard to take.

The manner of the exit, though, was a blow but Clydebank have the perfect opportunity to bounce back on Saturday when they head to Glenafton on league business.

And the Clydebank squad was given a boost this week after it emerged the club is on the verge of capturing midfielder Billy Jones from Super Premier League side Rob Roy.

Gaffer Budgie McGhie told Sport Scene: "Barring any last-minute hiccups he should sign for us. I always thought he was a good player. When we were informed that he had been released by Rob Roy I was surprised.

"We made contact with him and he said he was interested in coming to the club. It is a good addition to the squad at this point of the season."

The Clydebank Supporters Club is running a bus to the match, leaving Hardgate at 11.45am, the Atlantis at 11.50 and Holm Park at 12 noon. Seats are £5 for members and £7 for non-members and can be booked by calling Fred McCosh on 07890410606.

Supporters should also note that a few seats are still available for Saturday night's sportsmen's dinner at Clydebank Golf Club. Call 07946680812 to book places.

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