Arbroath 3-2 Clyde

A goal from Gavin Swankie two minutes from time ensured that Clyde suffered their fifth defeat of the campaign in what has been a first quarter to forget.

Due to an earlier accident on the Friarton Bridge that caused major traffic problems, the kick-off was delayed until 3.15pm.

The majority of the game’s action occurred in the second half, following an opening period in which chances were few and far between. The best opportunity fell to the Bully Wee though, when John Stewart got on to the end of a fine Ricky Waddell cross. Unfortunately the striker’s header drifted just past the post.

Things were to change after the break though, as Nicki Paterson grabbed his first goal for the club after 48 minutes. The midfielder coolly finished from close range following good work by Kevin Finlayson and John Stewart.

However, an Arbroath goal against the run of play changed the face of the match. Swankie was allowed space in the box and he smashed a shot past Jordan Allan to make it 1-1.

That seemed to give the hosts a lift and they went on to take the lead with ten minutes remaining to play. The Clyde defence failed to clear its lines and Stuart Malcolm’s deflected shot looped over Allan and into the roof of the net.

The Bully Wee came back though and Alan Lithgow equalised, with a towering header from an Adam Strachan corner.

There was still plenty of incident to come, however. The Red Lichties’ Ross Chisholm was sent off for a second bookable offence, but moments later it was his side that took the lead again. Ex-Clyde man David McGowan sent a cross into the box and Swankie got his head onto it to convert from close range.

In the aftermath of the goal, Neil McGowan was shown a red card for dissent to complete a frustrating afternoon for Clyde.

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