VALE OF CLYDE kept their slim hopes of promotion alive as Clydebank's horrendous run stretched to ten games without a win.

VALE OF CLYDE kept their slim hopes of promotion alive as Clydebank's horrendous run stretched to ten games without a win.

And unless Budgie McGhie can find a cure for his team's lack of firepower, then the Bankies look to be heading for relegation after just one season in the Super First Division.

A narrow 2-1 defeat should not gloss over the fact his players only troubled the home team's goal in the closing stages.

Tin Pail striker Brian Johnston did not hit target during his team's scrappy triumph, but he was right on the mark in his after-match summation.

"That wasn't pretty out there, but right now points are far more important to us than performances," he admitted.

"Clydebank were strong defensively and made it difficult for us but, once our noses were in front, there was only ever going to be one winner.

"And we have to be satisfied knowing we have kept the pressure on Kilwinning as well as making sure a play-off spot is in our hands if we win our final game of the season against Maryhill."

The opener came in 37 minutes after a John Cunningham tackle on Johnston brought the home side a free-kick. Thomas Sinclair's wickedly swerving cross carried beyond the far post to an unmarked Mark Gannon, who cleverly directed the ball back across goal where Paul Thomson nodded home.

Former Celtic keeper Barry John Corr was powerless to prevent Vale's second score arriving in the 72nd minute as Ryan McGregor capitalised on some hesitancy to lob home from 12 yards.

Bankies did get a consolation goal on the final whistle when Vale sweeper Jamie Wilson and keeper Stephen Johnstone both left the ball for each other and Bankies sub Brian Miller nipped in to fire into the empty net.

And an equaliser almost arrived deep into injury time when George McNamee's goal-line clearance was needed to keep out a Kevin Proctor header.

Vale's three points failed to make any leeway on second-placed Kilwinning after they dished out a 6-2 hammering to leaders Rob Roy.

And play-off rival Kilbirnie, helped by an Alan Kinney hat-trick, were 4-1 victors at Johnstone Burgh.

At the other end of the table, Renfrew's survival hopes were boosted as goals by James Crowhurst, Paddy Gallagher, Gordon Smith and Bonnar McKenzie paved the way for a 4-1 success at Troon.

Maryhill remain in the mire after going down 3-2 against East Kilbride, and Lesmahagow's 5-2 defeat at home to Annbank only adds to their woes.

At Super Premier level, Pollok's top marksman, Bryan Dingwall, netted a precious winner in a 1-0 Newlandsfield victory over Kilsyth that keeps Rab Sneddon's men on course for the title, and second-placed Petershill had to settle for a 1-1 draw away to Auchin- leck after a Danny McKelvie goal cancelled out Jamie McCarroll's opener for the Peasy.

Citylink Cup finalists Cumnock's relegation worries worsened when Campbell Money's side lost 1-0 at home to Glenafton.

Chic Connelly netted the only goal from a penalty in 32 minutes while, 60 seconds later, Nock midfielder Davie McInally had his spot-kick saved by Gary Mathews.

Central First title favourites Lanark imploded yet again when losing 3-1 at home to Cumbernauld in a stormy affair which saw both goalkeepers red-carded.

Front-runners Ashfield took full advantage after a Paul Maxwell goal gave the Saracen Park outfit a 1-0 victory over Dunipace, while Port Glasgow eased themselves nearer the top with a 3-0 win over Blantyre Vics.

Glencairn's step-up hopes remain intact after Davie Dickson and Chris Johnstone were on the mark in a 2-1 defeat of St Roch's.

Results

Whyte & Mackay Cup. Third round: Girvan 3 Largs 3 (Girvan win 3-2 pens).

Stagecoach Super Premier Division: Auchinleck Talbot 1 Petershill 1, Cumnock 0 Glenafton 1, Pollok 1 Kilsyth Rangers 0.

Stagecoach Super First Division: Kilwinning 6 Rob Roy 2, East Kilbride Thistle 3 Maryhill 2, Troon 1 Renfrew 4, Johnstone Burgh 1 Kilbirnie Ladeside 4, Vale of Clyde 2 Clydebank 1, Lesmahagow 2 Annbank Utd 5.

Stagecoach Central District First: Lanark Utd 1 Cumbernauld Utd 3, Ashfield 1 Dunipace 0, Rutherglen Glencairn 2 St Roch's 1, Blantyre Vics 0 Port Glasgow 3.

Stagecoach Ayrshire District League: Irvine Vics 1 Winton Rovers 4, Muirkirk 0 Hurlford 2, Dalry 4 Craigmark 0, Ardeer 1 Lugar 0.