BANKIES PLAY-OFF HOPES DENTED

Published 12 May 2010 13:00 0 Comments

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Clydebank... 2

Kilsyth Rangers... 2

PROMOTION-chasing Bankies dropped two valuable points on Monday night against the team with the worst away record in the league.

The result relegated the North Lanarkshire outfit, but it also dented Clydebank's hopes of gaining third spot and a play-off tie for a top flight place.

It all started so well for Budgie McGhie's men with a goal from Chris Mackie on six minutes.

The big striker robbed Marc Murray and held off the defender's challenge to slot the ball under Michael Dukes for his third goal of the season.

Mackie's strike partner Stevie Dymock then hit the post with a header at the end of a sweeping Clydebank move.

The home side were rampant and Brian Smith should have added a second when he ran on to a brilliant Mark Hailstones pass, but the winger's shot was straight at Dukes.

All this was in the opening 10 minutes but Bankies were to pay the price for failing to add a second goal.

Kilysth had picked up just three points on the road this season but they showed some grit to get back into the match.

Just after the half hour point they drew level with a goal from David Waters, who ran through the home defence far too easily before finishing well past Liam Campbell.

The first half ended with a Gary Lynn free kick whistling inches past the frame of the goal and unbelievably Kilsyth started the second half on level terms.

Bankies dominated after the break as well and created a string of great chances to regain the lead.

Mackie should have added a second when he rose to head a fine Paul Allum cross, but from close range he nodded the ball straight at Dukes.

Another great move saw Nikky Cairney coming within inches of scoring at the back post.

McGhie introduced trialist Mark Kilpatrick, who played for the Bankies in their first season back in the juniors six years ago.

Kilsyth shocked their hosts three minutes from time when an unopposed Marc McJimpsey drilled a right foot shot past Campbell from 20 yards.

It looked like a smash-and-grab winner, but in the last minute, Kilpatrick popped up in a crowded box to head home off the underside of the cross bar.

The home side chased a dramatic winner with a speculative Gary Lynn free kick coming close in the dying seconds.

This was a poor result considering the quality of the opposition and the ambitions of the home side.

But they are still favourites for third spot, so McGhie and an expectant Clydebank support will be hoping for a positive reaction tonight (Wednesday) when East Kilbride come to town.

This article appeared in Clydebank Post 12 May 10

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