CLYDEBANK missed out on the chance to close the gap at the top of the table when they lost to Renfrew on Saturday writes David Brockett.

Peter McGill’s early opener was cancelled out by strikes from Scott Morton and Anton Heffron as the visitors picked up only their second win of the season.

Having been out of action for the past two weeks due to postponements, Bankies’ boss Budgie McGhie made two changes to the side that beat Rutherglen Glencairn, with Robbie Halliday and Mark Burbidge replacing Jamie Lyden and Cammy Haddow.

Bankies burst out of the traps and went ahead inside the opening four minutes.

Nicky Little released Burbidge, whose burst down the right saw him float a ball into the area where Peter McGill was on hand to glance in his fifth goal of the season.

Bankies then squandered the chance to double their advantage. Lurking at the back post, Stevie Young didn’t catch his shot properly and it flew wide.

Ten minutes before the break, Renfrew equalised in fortunate circumstances.

Scott Morton was given too much space to waltz through the Bankies back line and Calum Gow’s attempted clearance ricocheted off Morton’s boot and beyond the reach of Bankies stopper Josh Lumsden.

Renfrew’s momentum continued into the second half, but it was Clydebank who almost grabbed the next goal.

Good movement from lone striker Young saw him force Burgess into a low save.

Soon after Lumsden was called into action, springing to his right to punch Marc McDade’s effort to safety.

Renfrew’s winner came on 70 minutes when Ross Gallacher’s outswinging free kick was directed home by Anton Heffron.

Minutes later the visitors should have extended their advantage when Bryan Mulgrew burst away. Only last ditch blocks from Lumsden and Jamie Darroch denied Renfrew a third.

There was just time for Burbidge to try his luck from distance, but Burgess was equal to it. Next up for Bankies is a trip to Cumbernauld United next Saturday at Guys Meadow (1.45pm).