Scorers: Stranraer – Russell (72 pen); Clyde – Allan (37)
An improved second half performance from Stranraer helped the Blues salvage a point against Clyde.
It looked as though Stranraer’s poor recent home form would continue when Jordan Allan netted in a disappointing first half.
However, the home side were better after the break and got their reward when Mark Russell tucked home from the penalty spot after half time substitute Robbie Foster was brought down in the box.
The manager made two changes from the side that had picked up a point at Stirling Albion seven days earlier.
Max Guthrie came into the team in place of the injured Deryn Lang while Jacob Pazikas started after Robbie Mutch was recalled by Ayr United.
Stranraer had started promisingly in the first 20 minutes without ever calling Clyde goalkeeper Robbie Hemfrey into action.
Increasingly, though, it was Clyde – and in particular Allan – who were looking the more dangerous.
Ray Grant found the frontman on the edge of the box and, though he was forced wide, he still managed to get his shot on target, with Pazikas making the save.
Then, on the half hour, Clyde should have been in front.
Allan timed his run well and got clear of the home defence but with only Pazikas in his way he lifted his shot over the crossbar.
The same man had the ball in the net minutes later but the offside flag was up.
Stranraer did not learn their lesson though and Grant’s ball over the Stranraer defence saw Allan clean through.
This time, his lob was perfect as he floated the ball over the stranded goalkeeper.
The hosts managed to stay in the game until half time when Chris Aitken made a double change with Chris McQueen and Kirk McKnight replaced by Lewis Reid and Foster.
Immediately, Stranraer upped the tempo with a Russell corner asking questions of the Clyde defence.
Guthrie nodded over after good link up play involving Grant Gallagher and Scott Robertson and Stranraer felt more likely to score.
The goal came midway through the half after another substitute, Ryan Edgar, flicked the ball on for Foster.
He showed great pace to get to the ball and, although Hemfrey managed to make the block, the chance was still alive.
Foster looked odds on to score his first for the club but was brought down by Tommy Robson in the six-yard box.
The Clyde man was shown a straight red card and Russell confidently slotted home the equaliser.
From here, there was only one team that looked likely to take three points and their best chance came to Foster.
He did well out on the left and cut inside before drilling a shot against the goalkeeper.
In the end, both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils in their final game of 2024.
Stranraer: Pazikas, Robertson, Brindley, Ross, McQueen (Reid 46), Gallagher, Dunlop (Ecrepont 88), McKnight (Foster 46), M Grant, Russell, Guthrie (Edgar 69).
Not used: Cummins, McIntosh and Adam.
Clyde: Hemfrey, Robson, Hamilton, Cuddihy, Cassidy, Scullion, R Grant, Leitch (Redfern 79), Murdoch, Allan, Rennie.
Not used: Docherty and Kennedy.
Referee: Alastair Grieve
Attendance: 728
HT: 0-1
Photos: Bill McCandlish
