By Robert Burns Defeat for the visitors continued their poor season with Budgie McGhie’s Bankies propping up the table with only one victory to their name all season.

However it was the visitors that took the lead after 12 minutes. The Arthurlie defence failed to clear properly, allowing recent Bankies signing Derek Carcary to thread the ball through to Ian Gold who took one touch before side-footing beyond Michael White, for his second goal against ‘Lie this season.

This did little to deter the hosts and their first real effort came just after 20 minutes when Alan Muir’s shot forced Robert Hamilton into a good blocking save to keep the scores level.

However Hamilton’s goal would eventually be breached three minutes before the half-time interval.

Gavin Rushford — so often on the scoresheet since his return to the club — rose highest in the box to head home Alan Muir’s corner against his former side.

Arthurlie started the second half well with Eddie McTernan causing the Clydebank defence no end of problems with his pace and movement — but the visitors almost regained the lead when Carcary ran onto a ball over the top and hit a shot that was only bettered by White’s block.

With 73 minutes on the clock Arthurlie were handed the perfect opportunity to take the lead. Gary Smith raced into the penalty area where he clashed with Andy Paterson. Referee Calum Haswell had no hesitation in pointing to the spot in what looked to many a soft award.

Smith didn’t seem bothered though and he stepped up confidently and sent Hamilton the wrong way to put the Barrhead side ahead.

On the half hour mark Burns showed great pace on the left before cutting inside and hitting a great right-footed effort that forced Hamilton into a fantastic one handed stop.

Burns had another effort blocked before Clydebank sub Jordan Shelvey forced White into a good save near the end but the was to be no scoring and Arthurlie got the year off to a perfect start to the year.

Arthurlie: White, Rushford, McGlinchey, Lyden, Green, Devlin, Muir, McGregor, Smith, McTernan, Burns.

Subs: Doherty, Potter, Gallacher, McArdle.