Clydebank marked their return to the senior ranks with a 1-0 win away to ten man Largs Thistle on Saturday.
Nicky Little’s 89th goal in Clydebank colours was enough to make the difference against his former side, who had defender Laurie McMaster dismissed with a straight red card after just eight minutes.
Little went on to be denied from the penalty spot as Bankies left Barrfields with all three points.
Bankies boss Gordon Moffat handed out six debuts in today’s league opener, with Jamie Donnelly, Matt Niven, Frazer Johnstone, Joe Slattery, Lee Gallacher and Ciaran Mulcahy all making their first starts.
The game burst into life after just eight minutes when McMaster lunged in on debutant Johnstone. Referee Steven MacDonald quickly dismissed the Theesel full back, with Little and midfielder Chris Black receiving a caution for their over zealous reaction.
Despite the man advantage, it was Largs who created the next clear cut chance – forcing defender Matt Niven to clear the ball off the line.
But it was Clydebank who squandered the best chance to open the scoring when they were awarded a penalty before the break. After the ball hit an arm inside the area, Largs stopper McGowan produced an excellent save low to his right to tip Little’s penalty round the post.
Having missed one chance – the visitors were to miss another glorious opportunity to break the deadlock as striker Mulcahy struck the inside of the post with a low shot.
Bankies persistence eventually paid off in the second half when they took the lead. A break down the left saw the ball cut back to the six yard box for Little, who stabbed home to open his account for the season.
At the other end, Clydebank keeper Donnelly was forced into a good save from Largs full back George Sewell, with the Bankies number one denying him with a strong hand.
The ten men thought they might have nicked a late draw when Ben Black forced the ball in, but the whistle blew for a foul on Niven as Bankies held on for an historic win.
