CLYDE 1 EAST FIFE 0

CLYDE 1 EAST FIFE 0

IT IS advantage SPFL League 2 Clyde in their play-off semi-final against rivals from the division above, East Fife, with the home side taking a 1-0 lead after the first-leg meeting at Broadwood.

The opening period was littered with chances after Clyde set the tone in only 45 seconds when Ross McKinnon shot just wide from six yards.

Kevin Smith had the Fifers' first opportunity on 10 minutes when he curled a shot that flashed just past.

John Sweeney clipped the base of a post from 25 yards with Scott Durie volleying into Jamie Barclay's arms just seconds before playing a part in a calamitous goal for his side. It came when Sweeney sent a pass over the visiting defence where goalkeeper Greg Paterson and Durie left the ball to each other and Ferguson nipped in and outfoxed the back-tracking David Cowan to shoot home.

Barclay prevented an equaliser when Liam Buchanan got free on the right and sent a pass into the path of McKenzie. His first-time shot looked goalbound until the Clyde goalkeeper stuck out a hand to save.

Further defensive slackness from East Fife almost gave Clyde a second when Joe Mbu was short with a pass and Stef McCluskey was quickly on to it. Paterson, though, did well to beat away his well struck effort.