SHELL-SHOCKED Rob Roy boss Jimmy Lindsay could only hold his hands up and admit the better team won after his title challengers crashed 3-0 to Clydebank at Adamslie Park.

The Rabs themselves were blown out of the water by an outstanding and at times breathtaking Bankies display of power, pace and effectiveness.

Lindsay said: "We were on top for 10-minute spells both at the start of the game and when the second half got underway, but otherwise we played second fiddle to an excellent Clydebank who, it has to be said, thoroughly deserved their victory.

"In fairness, our players never gave up the cause, but we badly needed a break and just couldn't get one against a side that defended so well and whose big centre-back Martin McInnes never put a foot wrong.

"We made tactical and personnel changes, but it was one of those days that nothing worked for us."

Both sets of supporters stood in respectful silence pre-match for the passing of former Rob Roy player James Baker, but they were heard in full voice once the action started.

The Bankies' opening goal arrived with 22 minutes on the clock when Joe Andrew's inswinging cross from the right wing was met back post by Ian Gold, whose header found the net for 1-0.

No doubt stung by a few harsh interval words, Rob Roy came firing out of the blocks and Chic Connolly passed up a glorious opportunity to equalise prior to Kevin Bradley being foiled by a last-ditch McInnes saving tackle.

The big stopper then blocked out Liam McVey inside the box to evoke loud penalty-kick claims from the Rabs players. Their frustrations were duly compounded as Clydebank broke swiftly upfield and Ross McPherson got on the end of a Vinnie Berry cross to power home a header for 2-0.

A raft of substitutions followed but Bankies replacement Mark Hailstones made the only noticeable impact when he made the scoreline 3-0 with a close-range shot after Robertson had blocked a McPherson effort with his legs.

Bankies gaffer Budgie McGhie said: "You know the team have played well when arguments break out over who is man of the match.

"The players were terrific and Jimmy Lindsay said afterwards that we were the best side he's played against all season which is a marvellous compliment.

"But the guys are capable of that level of performance and the challenge for us now is to produce more of the same on a regular basis."

Clydebank's victory moved them on to the same Super Premier points mark as third-placed Rob Roy, six points adrift of joint leaders Auchinleck Talbot and a Petershill side who ran out resounding 4-0 winners at home to Cumnock.

The Springburn men could count themselves fortunate to go in 1-0 ahead at the interval through a Stephen McGladrigan score, however there was nothing lethargic about their second-half display which brought further goals from a Paul Woods double – his second a cool finish following a superb solo run – and substitute Sean McKenna.

The only other top-flight fixture saw reigning champions Irvine Meadow lose for a third league game in a row, beaten 3-2 at home by Beith.

Andy Reid, Kenny McLean and David McGowan were on target for the victors, while headers by Mark Campbell and Willie Kinniburgh provided the only source of cheer home supporters.

It's all change atop the Super First pile with Largs Thistle now leading the way after Andy Monaghan's brace sealed a 2-0 triumph over previous frontrunners Hurlford United.

Hurlford's stumble could not be capitalised on by leading challengers Kello Rovers, who were themselves beaten 4-0 against improving Kilbirnie Ladeside through goals by David McGeown, Ryan Smillie, Josh Mullen and Tom Morrow.

High-flying St Anthony's similarly failed to make headway in the Central First Division stakes after the early dismissal of skipper Ronnie McDonald for two bookings away to Larkhall Thistle.

JP Grant (2) and Ross McGeachie netted in a 3-2 success that moves Dunky Sinclair's men to joint-third spot alongside Carluke Rovers, who had a first-minute Stevie Ferguson goal to thank for a 1-0 victory over managerless Bellshill Athletic.

In the only Second Division affair to beat the weather, Cambuslang Rangers overcame Newmains United 3-0 thanks to a Deco Kilmartin hat-trick that lifted the Wee Gers from sixth to second-top, while Kilwinning Rangers still lead the way in Ayrshire after veteran Ian Cashmore and Kris Mitchell netted in a 2-0 defeat of Irvine Vics.

In the Emirates Junior Cup contests to go ahead, Pollok's inspirational stopper Stevie Reilly headed the only goal of the game away to Glenafton.

Martin McIntyre stole the scoring honours with four of Johnstone Burgh's goals in a 7-1 hammering of Buchanhaven Hearts while Arthurlie quartet James Marks, Stevie Dymock (2), Chris Dallas (2) and Paul Stewart were all on target in a 6-1 rout of Steelend Vics.