Clyde 0-0 Falkirk
Clyde are now four points clear from the bottom of the cinch League 1 table after a battling performance against second place Falkirk at New Douglas Park.
Neil Parry, Erik Sula and Ross Cunningham were replaced in favour of Ryan Mullen, Brian McLean and Liam Scullion as Jim Duffy made three changes to the starting lineup against Airdrieonians. Barry Cuddihy captained the side as he celebrated his 200th appearance in Clyde colours.
The Bully Wee came agonisingly close to the opening goal in the fifth minute. Cameron Salkeld connected onto Mullen’s throw and sprinted down the right hand side, before crossing the ball to Kyle Doherty. The forward then headed a powerful effort which bounced off the woodwork.
There was little in the way of clear cut chances as the first half progressed with the majority of the action compressed to the middle of the park. McKay spurned a chance for the visitors in the 18th minute after he received the ball from a corner, but Mullen was on hand to make a comfortable save. At the other end, Ross Lyon found ample space to attempt a shot from 25 yards, however, it went narrowly over the bar.
As proceedings entered the final 15 minutes before the break, neither team were able to create any meaningful opportunities with the Bully Wee’s robust defence irritating the Bairns, who were relentless in pushing bodies forward. In the 39th minute Kurtis Roberts squared the ball to the onrushing Salkeld, whose low effort flew straight at Kinnear.
During the concluding minutes of the first period, there was a sudden flurry of chances for the away side as they sought to break the deadlock. Morrison turned away at a tight angle and drove the ball at goal, but Mullen reacted aptly to block his shot, while Brian McLean acted swiftly to clear Nesbitt’s fleeting effort.
It remained a closely contested affair at the restart, but with the bulk of play in the hosts’ own half. The Bairns threatened in the 58th minute as Nesbitt swept into the box and looked well positioned to launch a deadly shot, however Salkeld timed his intervention well to clear the danger.
The Bully Wee had a chance of their own shortly after the hour as Sula knocked the ball down into Doherty’s path who tried his luck with an effort, but he couldn’t keep the ball down.
With the clock reaching the 80th minute, the match continued to be evenly balanced as the visitors struggled to advance through a disciplined Clyde defence. In the 85th minute, Salkeld’s low cross found the awaiting Cunningham who rocketed a high effort over the bar. Euan Cameron went a hair’s width away from directing the ball on target in the dying seconds, but he failed to properly connect to Jon Craig’s cross.
MAN OF THE MATCH SPONSORED BY CALL ROBERT – If you were at today’s match and are a CIC owner with a website account, you can vote for your top three performers in the Man of the Match vote.
BULLY WEE FUND – DRAW WINNER: 120. JACK PHILLIPS – £765