Clydebank boss Gordon Moffat admitted Saturday’s West of Scotland Cup loss was ‘hard to take’ as his Bankies side bowed out to Hurlford.
The 4-2 loss means Bankies are now out of all cup competitions this season, just leaving them with the task of consolidating their place in the West Region Premiership.
Ford raced into a 2-0 lead before Moffat’s side battled back to level. Clydebank’s efforts were thwarted, however, as they were reduced to 10 men which allowed the Ayrshire side to run away with it in the end.
Moffat said: “A lot went on, so it felt like a long 90 minutes. I thought for the first 20 minutes we were all over the place. They were able to impose their game plan too much, and in terms of shape I thought we were poor compared to the last few weeks.
“At 2-0 down we changed that and I think we got a reaction. We got ourselves back into it so to go in at half-time at 2-2 was some effort. If I’m brutally honest, I’d have taken 2-1 at the break just the way it was going.
READ MORE: Clydebank crash out of West of Scotland Cup after being reduced to 10 men
“This week’s red card was actually earlier than last week, and so the game plan goes out the window again. It’s backs to the wall and fighting for our lives.
“I thought the boys put so much into it, then tired legs gives them a free shot at the edge of the area, and the fourth is when we’re throwing the kitchen sink at it and making poor decisions.
“Obviously the officials played a big part in the game, which is really disappointing. My initial reaction was that there was nothing in it. Even Chris McKnight - who was fouled - came over and said he couldn’t believe it was a red. His leg was high but there was no malice and he was slowing down, so you could see by everyone’s reaction they were surprised.
“Even after that, someone will need to explain to me why we don’t get a penalty. I don’t think the boy deliberately takes him out, but his legs cross and Craig Holmes is in, so for me it’s a clear penalty.
“We’re obviously feeling hard done by. That being said, we needed to be a lot better ourselves first and foremost.”
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