Clydebank supporters can be excused for thinking it’s on days such as Saturday that league championships are won.

A last-minute goal securing a 2-1 victory over Rutherglen Glencairn has to be considered more than a trite fortunate against opponents who, on the balance of play, deserved no less than a share of the spoils.

Then to make their day even better, both the leading Super First Division title aspirants Kilsyth Rangers and Shettleston suffered their first league defeats of the season to enable the Bankies to move to within a point of top spot.

Boss Budgie McGhie wasn’t complaining when he spoke in the aftermath of a hard fought Celsius Stadium contest.

He said: "I’ve told the players that we’ve performed a lot better in other games and not came out on, top but that’s the way things can sometimes pan out in football.

“ It’s a big plus for us to come away winners against a very good Glens side who will take a lot of points from teams coming here particularly as I didn’t feel we played as well as we can and more so in attacking sense.

“Last week the guys hammered home five goals against Petershill yet we arguably created more chances today and only just scraped home.

“But getting these lucky breaks can make all the difference come the end of the season.”

The afternoon had kicked off with the Glens energetic and on the offensive, yet the clearest cut goalscoring opportunity arrived for the visitors with just eight minutes played.

Peter McGill sped past Brian Eadie on the right flank to send over a low driven cross into the path of Bankies front man Stevie Young positioned just eight yards out.

However, goalkeeper J.C. Hutchison advanced off his line to make a superb blocking save and avert a certain score.

The experienced shotstopper went on to serve up a top notch performance, sullied only by a 22nd-minute handling blunder when his failing to deal with a Nikky Young free kick that wickedly bounced just in front of him led to Bankies stopper Alan Vezza latching on to the rebound to prod home the game’s opening goal from point-blank range.

The exchanges continued to be end-to-end and it was no real surprise when the Ru’Glonians levelled matters not long after the half hour mark.

Forwards Jay Mackay and Fraser Team combined to set up busy midfielder Sean McGuire whose well struck shot was a goal from the moment it left his foot.

Both sides continued to probe for further scores in the run up to half-time with the best efforts coming from Glens skipper Tony Fraser testing Bankies goalkeeper Josh Lumsden with a low drive while Jordan Shelvey pulled the ball wide at the other end when he really should have hit target.

A defining moment arrived just short of the hour mark when one of the best players afield - Glencairn central defender Ryan Docherty - launched himself into a scything challenge on Shelvey.

But whistler Craig King waved play on and Clydebank’s attacking sortie resulted in a Cammy Haddow shot clearing the crossbar.

Referee King then called play back to award a foul to the Bankies before red-carding Docherty much to the fury of Glens supporters and their disbelieving dugout where the verbal protests of Assistant manager Joe Price led to him being banished inside.

Clydebank now had the upper hand against the ten men but their territorial dominance came to nothing and they had to guard against Glencairn breaking forward in support of the industrious Mackay whose willingness to run at defenders posed a threat.

One such run with 77 minutes played saw an attempted shot appear to strike the hand of sliding in Clydebank defender Jamie Darroch but whistler King waved play on and a swift break upfield where Glens centreback Craig McGregor rashly pulled back Young inside the area leaving the Referee no option other than to point to the spot while protests of a Glens persuasion rained in on him from the terracings and pitch.

Nikky Little ‘s subsequent penalty kick was foiled by a terrific diving save from Hutchison however the front man’s disappointment was to be alleviated in the game’s final minute when J.C. brilliantly parried out a netbound Andy Patterson rocket but only as far as the lurking Little who controlled the ball and fired into the net to clinch a last gasp victory.

Glencairn’s disconsolate No.2 Price said: “ It’s so frustrating to lose out after matching up with them, even with ten men.

“The sending-off was a huge setback not least in forcing us to reshuffle our team but what has really cost us out there is our decision making.

“Working your way into good areas of the pitch is nothing more than a waste of time and energy if your final ball is as poor as ours today and it’s something we must work on.”

Meanwhile, league leaders Kilsyth Rangers can have no complaints after losing out 4-1 away to a resurgent Irvine Meadow for whom Graham Muir, Jared Willet , Ryan Begley and Graham Boyd were on the mark.

The day’s biggest upset came at Greenfield Park where Shettleston’s unbeaten league run was ended by a Blantyre Vics side that recovered from going 1-0 down to a Ryan McStay spot kick for Gary Campbell and Ross McKechnie counters in the closing 13 minutes to clinch a 2-1 success.

Staying in contention for the title honours are Petershill after goals from Chrissy Hall and Jason Hardie earned a 2-0 victory over Irvine Vics.

WEEKEND RESULTS: Super Premier Division. Pollok 1 Glenafton 2, Largs Thistle 4 Arthurlie 3, Auchinleck Talbot 1 Beith 1, Cumnock 1 Hurlford Utd 1, Troon 2 Kilwinning Rangers 1, Rob Roy 2 Kilbirnie Ladeside 0.

McBookie.com Super First Division.

Irvine Meadow 4 Kilsyth Rangers 1, Petershill 2 Irvine Vics 0, Rutherglen Glencairn 1 Clydebank 2, Shettleston 1 Blantyre Vics 2.

McBookie.com Central First Division.

Greenock 1 Rossvale 1, Cambuslang Rangers 6 Thorniewood Utd 4, Wishaw 1 Larkhall Thistle 3, Benburb 2 Vale of Clyde 1, Neilston 0 Johnstone Burgh 0, Bellshill Athletic 1 St Roch's 2.

McBookie.com Central Second Division.

Royal Albert 2 East Kilbride Thistle 3, Dunipace 0 Glasgow Perthshire 5, Carluke Rovers 3 Vale of Leven 2, St Anthonys 2 Lanark Utd 2, Gartcairn 3 Newmains Utd 0.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League.

Ardeer Thistle 1 Darvel 1, Saltcoats Vics 2 Maybole 5, Kello Rovers 3 Dalry Thistle 6, Whitletts Vics 2 Craigmark 1.