Stranraer’s William Hill League Two campaign began in disappointing fashion, as a devastating 15-minute spell before half-time saw Clyde come from behind to claim all three points.
The Blues had made the brighter start and looked comfortable for much of the opening half-hour, but three goals in quick succession turned the contest on its head after Ronan Hughes had given Chris Aitken’s side the lead.
Aitken stuck with the same side who claimed a draw against Alloa Athletic before putting in a spirited effort against Premiership side Falkirk in the Premier Sports Cup.
Clyde registered the first effort on target after eight minutes, but goalkeeper Max Currie was equal to the long-range strike.
Stranraer enjoyed plenty of possession during the opening exchanges and controlled large spells, without seriously testing home goalkeeper Jay Hogarth.
The breakthrough arrived just before the half-hour mark and came courtesy of a defensive mistake.
Currie’s long goal kick was flicked on by Aaron Quigg, with Clyde defender Logan Dunachie reaching the ball first but under-hitting his back pass.
Hughes reacted quickest, racing through to calmly slot beyond Hogarth and hand the Blues a deserved lead.
The lead lasted only six minutes, although Stranraer were unfortunate with the manner of the equaliser.
Scott Williamson’s initial effort was well saved by Currie, but the rebound struck defender Lewis Gillie and ricocheted back towards goal.
Currie managed to get a hand to the loose ball but could only divert it into his own net.
That goal shifted the momentum firmly in Clyde’s favour.
The hosts completed the turnaround five minutes before the break when Lewis Lovering headed home from close range.
Nathan Cannon then added a third on the stroke of half-time with a clever backheel finish to leave the Blues shell-shocked at the interval.
Aitken made his first change as the second half arrived, introducing Finn Ecrepont for an injured Beejay Coll.
The visitors survived another scare on the hour mark, scrambling the ball clear from the goal line.
Moments later, Currie produced an outstanding low save to deny Clyde a fourth.
Stranraer continued to battle, and Hughes almost grabbed his second with twenty minutes to play when a corner caused chaos in the penalty area, but his close-range effort was saved by Hogarth at the near post.
Lewis Dobbie tested Hogarth from distance with ten minutes remaining before Quigg glanced Aaron Healy’s cross goalwards, only for the Clyde goalkeeper to gather comfortably.
The Blues’ best chance of the second half arrived in stoppage time when substitute Dean Cleland found himself with a point-blank opportunity, but Hogarth produced an excellent reflex save to preserve Clyde’s two-goal advantage.
Ultimately, Stranraer paid the price for a costly collapse before half-time and were unable to find a route back into the contest against a Clyde side expected to challenge for promotion this season.
The Blues will now look to bounce back when they host Annan Athletic at the LIME Stadium at Stair Park this Saturday.
Clyde: Hogarth; Rooney, Howie ©, Dunachie, Lovering; Cuddihy (Strachan 88’), Fleming; Cannon (Cruden 90’), Connell (Hilton 78’), Redfern (Gilligan 88’); Williamson (Scott 78’)
Not used: Terry, Campbell, Inglis, Anderson
Stranraer: Currie; Dunne, Nair (Cameron 72’), Gillie, Coll © (Ecrepont 45’); Quigg, Bruce, Traynor (Cleland 61’); Hughes (Binnie 82’), Dobbie, Healy
Not used: Henderson, McLuckie, Lynch
Referee: Ross Birrell
Attendance: 717
HT: 3-1