The Spartans 1-1 Clyde (agg 1-3)

Clyde progressed to the League One promotion play-off final this afternoon, with a gritty defensive display through in Edinburgh serving as the foundation for a draw on the day.

Darren Young unsurprisingly stuck with the same side that secured a two-goal aggregate advantage in Tuesday night’s first leg, though Mouhamed Niang did drop off the bench.

Both teams came out hungry to score an opening goal that they knew would define the course of the afternoon, and it went the way of The Spartans. After shading the opening ten minutes, Clyde got a lucky break when Bradley Whyte struck the post after being played through on goal; that warning shot led to a spell of pressure, however, and the hosts opened the scoring minutes later. An inswinging corner wasn’t dealt with in a busy six-yard box, as Jay Hogarth’s attempted clearing punch ended up in the back of his net.

Buoyed by the opener, Spartans took complete control in the time that remained of the first period, but a typically stoic defensive effort from their visitors ensured that Hogarth had little else to do. There was a moment of slight controversy in a rare Clyde foray forward, as Scott Williamson bore down on Paddy Martin before appearing to be wiped out by the onrushing home ‘keeper. Referee Callum Scott was unmoved, however, and a the half-time interval beckoned.

The game was more evenly contested in the opening knockings of the second half, but it was Spartans who asked all of the questions. A Callum Booth snapshot from outside the area whizzed past the far post, before the pendulum swung dramatically back in The Bully Wee’s favour. Brogan Walls was played in one-on-one with Hogarth and his finish curled just off target, kissing the outside of the post; minutes later, his team was all but dead and buried.

Aiden McGinlay had taken a poor touch in the immediate build-up to Walls’ gilt-edged chance, but he more than made amends shortly afterwards. Showing experience which belied his youth, he allowed the ball to roll across him and drew a foul from a home defender in the box, giving Williamson the chance to restore the two-goal aggregate advantage from twelve yards. He duly obliged, emphatically powering the spot-kick beyond Martin to the delight of a sizeable travelling support.

The equaliser visibly demoralised the hosts and Clyde seized control of the game, without managing to unpick what was becoming an increasingly ragged and desperate Spartans team. The hosts did apply some pressure late in the day, but couldn’t break down a stubborn Bully Wee side which secured safe passage to a two-legged shootout with Hamilton Academical next week.