CLYDEBANK missed out on the chance to close the gap at the top of the table, losing 2-1 to Renfew on Saturday.
Peter McGill’s early opener was cancelled out by strikes from Scott Morton and Anton Heffron as the visitors picked up just their second win of the season.
Having been out of action for the past two weeks due to postponments, Bankies boss Budgie McGhie made two changes to the side that beat Rutherglen Glencairn, with Robbie Halliday and Mark Burbidge replacing Jamie Lyden and Cammy Haddow.
Bankies burst out of the traps and went ahead inside the opening four minutes of the match. Nicky Little released Burbidge, and a blistering trademark run down the right saw him float a ball into the area, with Peter McGill on hand to glance in his fifth goal of the season.
Bankies then squandered the chance to double their advantage. Lurking at the back post, Stevie Young didn’t catch his shot properly as his effort flew wide of the target.
Ten minutes before the break, Renfew equalised in fortunate circumstances. A strong penetrating run from Scott Morton saw him afforded too much space to waltz through the Bankies back line, and Calum Gow’s attempted clearance ricocheted off Morton’s boot and beyond the reach of Bankies stopper Josh Lumsden and the sides went in all square at the interval.
Renfrew’s momentum continued into the second half, but it was Clydebank who almost grabbed the next goal. Good movement from lone striker Young saw him make space for a shot, forcing Burgess into a save low at his left hand post.
Soon after it was Lumsden who was called into action, springing to his right to punch Marc McDade’s effort to safety.
On 70 minutes however, Renfrew took the lead. Ross Gallacher’s outswinging free kick was met by the boot of Anton Heffron, who directed the ball into the back of the net.
Minutes later the visitors could’ve and should’ve extended their advantage when Bryan Mulgrew burst away after a misplaced pass from Burbidge and goalscorer Morton, and only last ditch blocks from Lumsden and Jamie Darroch’s denied Renfrew a third.
There was just time for Burbidge to try his luck from distance, but Burgess was equal to it and tipped the shot over the bar as Bankies slumped to a disappointing defeat.
Next up for Bankies is a trip to Cumbernauld United, and kick off next Saturday at Guys Meadow is 1:45pm.
