By David Brockett

Clydebank manager Kieran McAnespie blasted his players over a lack of desire after they lost 3-2 to Kilwinning Rangers on Saturday.

The Bankies boss gave his side a public dressing down after the final whistle, with McAnespie frustrated as Clydebank twice lost the lead.

The defeat means Bankies continue to sit eighth in the Super Premier Division with four league games remaining.

McAnespie said: “I wouldn’t really say we were on the front foot for most of it, to be honest.

“I thought they dominated for most of the game with their tenacity and the way they went about their business. They’re a well organised team with experience, so I thought they were still on top.

“They had more fight in them, more desire and they just wanted the three points more - even being a man down. They’ve had the spine of that team together for the past three or four years, and they’ll fight for their lives - we don’t have that.

“We’ve shown we can compete and beat the best after beating Auchinleck, but we can’t just show up whenever we feel like - we have to be more consistent.

“As was shown today, if you don’t fight for it, you don’t have any chance of winning.”

Bankies played against ten men for almost an hour after Sam McCloskey was sent off for a second yellow, but the home side failed to capitalise. The win also means the visitors remain in pole position to clinch a dramatic title win.

McAnespie added: “The space was there for us to play, but we went far too direct and ended up relying on Matt McLean’s long throw-ins and Jordan bringing others into play. They were all waiting on someone else to create something, and that just doesn’t work.

“I try and encourage the boys just not to lose. Whether you’re winning or drawing, just see it out and that gives you the platform to build on to win it. They have the big game experience and executed some good game management .

“We’ve got to learn lessons from it and regroup fast, especially with four games left. The only positive was Arthurlie lost too, so it keeps us that distance away from them, but we need to turn up and win the fight."