JOHN BROWN today described himself as over the moon after completing Clyde's survival mission at the expenseof Airdrie.

The Bully Wee duffed up the Diamonds with a 3-0 aggregate First Division play-off final victory.

Appointed in January with a remit to keep Clyde in the game's second tier, Bomber can take some pride in a job well done.

Brown said: "I am over the moon that Clyde are still in the First Division. I came in here to keep Clyde in the First Division and I have managed to do that.

"If you look at the budgets of the First Division clubs then Stirling had the poorest and then it was us, and even the Airdrie players are on more money that some of our boys.

"So it speaks volumes for them and we have managed to foster a better desire, attitude and heart from them.

"It was something I always believed in as a player and it is something I want from my team. But I am here for another year and we will now look to build on this next season."

Bomber was candid about the game's crucial moment when referee John Underhill refused to give a penalty for Airdrie after Chris Higgins appeared to scythe Bryan Prunty in the Clyde box.

He admitted: "I think the turning point was the penalty decision. It was a stonewaller and the referee failed to give it when it was 1-0 to us.

"If Airdrie get it they are right back in the game.

"Marvyn Wilson was immense for us in the middle of the park and the experience we have with Marv and Gary McSwegan was crucial for us.

"The younger guys looked a bit nervous, but these two kept it all together for us and maybe that was the difference on the day."

Brown added: "But I feel for Airdrie and Kenny Black and my commiserations go out to them."

Clyde went ahead two minutes after half-time when a superb Marvyn Wilson through ball sent the anticipating Gary McSwegan in behind Stevie Campbell.

The former Scotland striker cutely nudged the ball past the advancing Stephen Robertson to put Clyde one-up on the day and two ahead on aggregate.

With Airdrie increasingly stretched, another superb move finally killed off the Diamonds. Ruari MacLellan slipped a finely-weighted ball to the marauding Billy Gibson and his superb cross was headed home by Pat Clarke despite Robertson's despairing dive.

But there is silver lining for Airdrie United in that this time next week there is every chance they could be celebrating a step up with the likely demise of financially stricken Gretna.

NEED TO KNOW

CLYDE............2 AIRDRIE UTD............0

(aggregate: 3-0)

Was it a good game? A full-blooded affair that thundered along at a frantic pace.

Clyde's star turn? Marvellous Marvyn Wilson belied his veteran status with a energetic display.

And Airdrie's top man? Marco Andreoni showed nice touches and was always available in midfield.

The referee? John Underhill kept tight control of the game but denied the Diamonds a blatant penalty at a pivotal moment.

Talking point

With Gretna's future set to be decided on May 17, will Airdrie United make it up to the First Division after all?