Second division: Brown exits Clyde as defeat leaves them rooted to bottom

Published on Saturday 21 November 2009 19:39

CLYDE 1 East Fife 3 JOHN Brown's reign as manager of Clyde came to a sudden end last night. The 47 year-old, who has been in charge for almost two years, has faced calls for his resignation from sections of the Bully Wee's supporters.

The end came after a defeat which left Clyde rooted to the foot of the table. A statement on the club's website said: "Clyde can confirm that John Brown has left his position as manager."

Brown was forced to build a team from scratch for this season's Second Division campaign after cash-strapped Clyde released almost their entire playing staff in the wake of relegation from the First Division. His makeshift side have managed just three wins from 15 games this season and are staring at the prospect of back-to-back relegations.

Brown's position appeared to be undermined by the appointment of Neil Watt as director of football in August. John McCormack, who was then brought in as first team coach a month later, is the frontrunner to take charge of the ailing club.

East Fife won comfortably yesterday. Paul McManus scored twice either side of Willie Sawyers' penalty for Clyde. Bobby Linn got a solo third.

Stirling Albion 2 Cowdenbeath 2

Stirling and Cowdenbeath remain joint top of the Second Division table after a frenetic draw at Forthbank. Cowdenbeath had a 1-0 half time lead, after Gareth Wardlaw headed home a Brian Fairbairn cross. Martin Grehan was sent off for a second bookable offence 15 minutes from time and the ten men grabbed an equaliser in the 80th minute through a Ross Forsyth penalty, and looked to have won it when substitute David McKenna brilliantly lobbed Hay to put them ahead.

Cowdenbeath refused to lie down however, John Ferguson pounced to score from close range in the third minute of stoppage time.

Stenhousemuir 1 Brechin City 1

Rory McAllister's tenth goal of the season gave Brechin a 29th-minute lead. Stenhousemuir equalised through a Kevin Motion penalty just before the interval.