First Division: Clyde are denied rare East End win

ON-FORM Clyde had not won at East End Park for nearly 35 years and they looked on course to break that hoodoo when Pat Clarke put John Brown's men 4-2 up against Dunfermline with 20 minutes to go, however it was not to be as the home side came back to snatch a thrilling 4-4 draw.

Bully Wee midfielder Alan Trouten set the tone for the game after only 29 seconds when he fired past Paul Gallacher. Stephen Glass netted a tenth-minute penalty to equalise after Graham Bayne had been fouled and the home side went ahead with a quick fire goal in the second period when Andy Kirk headed in.

Clyde hit back with goals from Chris Higgins and a double from Clarke which looked set to make it four league wins in a row for the Broadwood club.

But Kirk grabbed his second two minutes after Clyde's fourth and Nicky Phinn equalised in 79 minutes to set up a grandstand finish where neither side could grab a winner.

Clyde manager Brown said: "We would have taken a point before the game started but being two goals ahead with 20 minutes to play and drawing means that I am disappointed."

His Dunfermline counterpart Jim McIntyre lamented his side's home form, saying: "We have been poor at home this season although this was an excellent match for the fans."

Leaders St Johnstone failed to capitalise on Dunfermline only drawing as Airdrie United hit back late on to snatch a 1-1 draw at New Broomfield.

The Perth side had the better of the chances throughout the game and looked set to return north with the points when Liam Craig blasted home a penalty with only eight minutes to go. On-loan Rangers youngster Willie McLachlan was judged to have fouled St Johnstone substitute Andy Jackson to give away the spot kick.

However, substitute Stephen Maguire dragged the division's bottom side level in the last minute when he headed in a Joe Cardle cross.

St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes was disappointed, saying: "We should have been ahead before the penalty and even then we should have held on to the lead so it is a disappointing outcome."

Opposing manager Kenny Black was pleased that his side never gave up. He said: "It would have been harsh if we had lost that game."

Livingston pulled level on points with Dunfermline in second place after a 2-0 win at Almondvale over Queen of the South. The home side's new manager Paul Hegarty breathed life into the side for the second week running with his half-time pep talk working a charm. First, Dave MacKay's free kick from halfway was flicked on by Leigh Griffiths and James McPake headed home from close range, then, in 55 minutes Calum Elliot cut in from the left on to his right foot and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner

Hegarty said: "A few words at half time had to be said – again. It worked at Ross County and it worked here. I would rather we played like we can do from the first whistle but credit to the players, I got a reaction with a magnificent second-half performance."

Injury-hit Queen of the South had Sean O'Connor in defence and defender Neil Scally listed as substitute goalkeeper, and to cap a miserable second half defender Craig Barr was sent off after picking up a second yellow card.

Palmerston Park manager Gordon Chisholm focused his after-match concern on the sending off of Barr.

He said: "I will wait to see the report on Craig Barr's sending off. If it was for dissent then it is unacceptable and I will deal with it, as we have so many players out injured we do not need sending offs for that."

Morton gained revenge for two defeats earlier in the season at the hands of Ross County with a 2-1 win at a Cappielow ground that needed mopping up by a band of volunteers after flood damage had put the game at risk. Supporters joined up with club officials to remove water from corridors of the main stand and ensure that the game went ahead.

The game started well for County with Scott Morrison opening the scoring when he curled in a free kick in 24 minutes. Morton's dead ball expert Stevie Masterton equalled Morrison's feat to see the teams level by half-time. And it was from another Masterton free kick that Brian Wake glanced in the winner for the home side in the second half after the ball had been knocked back for him by Stewart Greacen.

Greenock manager David Irons said: "There was not much in the game but we had the better chances."

Dundee, who have slipped to second bottom in the table, played out a goalless draw at Dens Park with a Partick Thistle side that are struggling to win away from their Firhill fortress.

Former Scotland goalkeeper Rab Douglas produced a fine double save from a Gary Harkins header and Mark Roberts' follow up to keep the scoreline blank with Jocky Scott none too pleased with his side's performance.

The veteran manager said: "Rab Douglas saved us from a defeat and it was a poor performance where we were never at the races."

Partick manager Ian McCall echoed Scott's praise of Douglas, saying: "We created enough chances to win the game and only Rab's two great saves kept the scoreline blank."