Clydebank manager Gordon Moffat admits his side simply need to start putting points on the board or they are at risk of falling out of the hunt for promotion.

Top of the league Auchinleck Talbot ran out 2-0 winners at a packed-out Holm Park on Saturday.

The visitors struck early when Graham Wilson tucked the ball underneath the onrushing Jamie Donnelly, with Clydebank’s best chance falling to Hamish McKinlay as he advanced on goal but a defender recovered well.

A set-piece for the home side presented Liam McGonigle with an opportunity but he curled his effort into the hands of the goalkeeper.

That led to a counter-attack from Talbot and, despite the best efforts of Donnelly, Bryan Boylan’s header crept over the line.

In the second-half, defender Matt Niven had Clydebank’s best chance to get back in the game but he headed over the bar.

Moff’s troops have come from behind to take something from a game from losing positions on a number of occasions this season but there was to be no repeat of that as Talbot extended their lead at the top.

The Bankies boss admits his side need to stop giving teams head starts on them – especially those of the calibre of the Bot.

Speaking exclusively to the Post, he said: “We gave ourselves too much to do against a good team.

“We had some good spells in the game of being on top and dominating possession, but that’s not enough against Auchinleck. You’ve got to take your chances when they come.

“We weren’t good enough in the final third. Our final ball and deliveries were hung up a lot for the goalkeeper to collect.

“We didn’t quick click in the final third. Our possession and build-up play was good but it only gets you to a point.

“To give them a two goal head start is very difficult. If big Matt’s header goes in and it’s 2-1 you never know with us, but it was a difficult afternoon.

“Coming back after the two cup games there’s a run of games in the league where we need to go and get some points on the board again and keep ourselves up there.

“It’s an important time for us between now and Christmas.”

Meanwhile, the club has announced that tickets have sold out for next Saturday’s Scottish Cup third round clash with Clyde just hours after going on sale.

The tie is the reward for the Bankies’ memorable replay victory away to Elgin City in the previous round.

Tickets went on sale to season ticket holders on Friday and then to the general public prior 24 hours later – with queues all the way out of Holm Park early on in the day prior to Saturday’s game.

Moff is looking forward to another terrific occasion – but hopes his troops don’t take their eye off this weekend’s South Challenge Cup tie away to a Glenrothes side who are currently three points clear at the top of Conference B in the East of Scotland League.

He explained: “It’s a tough game for us. They are top of their league for a reason and they’ll be confident.

“It’s a cup we want to progress in, so we’ll not be thinking about Clyde the following week.

“It was brilliant arriving for the Auchinleck game and seeing the queue out the car park. There was a wee bit of buzz around the ground and it’s something the players have created with the results they’ve had.

“It’ll be great to have the numbers behind us. We’ll look forward to that when it comes. It’s another big tie for the club.”

Kick-off at Warout Stadium on Saturday is at 1.30pm.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Drumchapel United stretched their lead over Neilston at the top of Conference C to eight points courtesy of a 1-0 win over Glasgow Perthshire at Lochburn Park.

In the bottom half of Conference C, though there were fewer smiles in the Yoker Athletic camp on Saturday after the Whe Ho fell to a 3-1 defeat away to East Kilbride Thistle.

This Saturday, Yoker travel to Moor Park to face bottom-of-the-table Lanark United, while Drumchapel are also on the road to Lanarkshire for a South Challenge Cup tie against Lesmahagow at Craighead Park.

Both those matches kick off at 1.30pm.