Joel Kasubandi’s eleventh goal of the season was the different as Bankies ran out 1-0 winners against Kilsyth Rangers on Saturday.
Bankies boss Budgie McGhie made two changes to the side that lined up against Blantyre Vics, with Phil Barclay and Robbie Halliday coming in for injured duo Rab O’Neill and Danny MacKinnon.
The visitors had the first opportunity of the game, with Ryan Holms heading over after good work from Mark Burbidge.
Kilsyth winger Corey Pearson, brother of former Bankie Reece, sent a right footed free kick just wide of Josh Lumsden’s left hand post.
Then, midway through the first half, Bankies should have been in front. Great work from Andy Paterson saw the full back release Kasubandi, but the big striker didn’t raise his head as the chance petered out.
Bankies then took the lead. Good work down the left from Holms saw the wide man play the ball into Kasubandi, who readjusted his body and rifled high into the top left hand corner to open the scoring for the visitors.
Two minutes before the break, Kilsyth could’ve levelled. A ball over the top caught out the Bankies back line, but Lumsden was out quickly to block at the feet of Joe Barclay.
After the restart, Kilsyth squandered yet another opportunity to equalise. A free kick wasn’t dealt with in the Bankies box, and Chris Reid blasted over from six yards.
On a heavy Duncansfield pitch, Graham Mort found the side netting was a firm header before forcing a fine save from former Bankies stopper Chris Prior.
Ten minutes from time Kilsyth had the ball in the net. Despite claiming the ball from a free kick, Paul Doyle barged Lumsden into the net, with the goal being disallowed and Doyle receiving a caution in the process.
In the final few minutes, Kilsyth were reduced to nine men. First, Doyle was shown a straight red card for an elbow on Nicky Little, before Danny O’Neill picked up two yellow cards in quick succession and Bankies held on for a valuable three points.
