Win nudges Fifers nearer to play-offs

The Fifers hit fifth spot in League One and tucked themselves in behind the play-off spots with a hard-earned win over Clyde.

An early Danny Denholm goal separated the sides for the majority of the 90 minutes with the home side unable to kill Clyde off and the visitors failing to pull level.

East Fife recruited defender Aaron Steele on-loan from St Johnstone before kick-off but the youngster was left out of the matchday squad.

Another player drafted in recently by Fife boss Darren Young, striker Greig Spence, had to settle for a place on the bench.

The Bully Wee had a point to prove, having been turned over by the Fifers 3-1 a couple of weeks ago.

And they had every right to fear another thumping when East Fife took the lead within a few minutes.

Chris Higgins hung the ball up brilliantly along the face of goal and first to reach it was Denholm who nodded home.

It was one-way early on.

Clyde were forced to weather a storm but they managed to navigate their way through and eventually got a foothold in the game.

But without absent talisman David Goodwillie the visitors were blunt in attack and the Fifers kept them at arm’s reach.

Young watched his side suffer a crushing 3-0 loss at traffic

Montrose on Tuesday and made nine changes to his starting 11.

The freshness had the desired effect as the Methil side managed to get back on top, Liam Watt and Denholm at the centre of everything created.

Danny Swanson was handed a rare start by Young and the midfielder was certainly busy.

As the first half went on he started to attract a few meaty challenges from the Clyde defence.

One was penalised on the edge of the box with Swanson himself taking the free-kick but he sent his effort inches over the bar.

Clyde needed a quick start to the second half to get themselves back into the game and almost pulled level within a couple minutes of the restart.

A hopeful ball was swung into the box and met by Craig Howie whose header dropped narrowly wide with Jordan Hart beaten.

Young knew he needed a second goal to kill off what was a spirited Clyde resistance.

On from the bench came Spence, along with fellow striker Ryan Wallace.

The forwards worked well after coming on, keeping hold of the ball deep inside the Clyde half and depriving the visitors the chance to put pressure on the Fife goal.

The home side had a late chance to net a second but Craig Watson’s overhead kick was held by David Mitchell. of