Clyde shrug off Barry Ferguson absence to claim first-leg win over Elgin

Clyde took a 3-1 lead in the first leg of their Ladbrokes League One play-off semi-final with Elgin despite manager Barry Ferguson's absence.The former Scotland midfielder was in Switzerland to collect his UEFA Pro License following his successful completion of the course.Yet Ferguson played an important role in the win, having delayed naming his team to give Mark McLaughlin and John Gemmell a chance of being fit.Both scored, along with Scott Linton, for the Broadwood hosts with Kyle MacLeod grabbing a goal for the visitors, who have it all to do in Saturday's second leg.Clyde's Jordan Kirkpatrick twice shot wide of the target in the early stages before Gemmell, who like McLaughlin had limped off against Stirling in the previous game, gave the hosts a 19th-minute lead with a close-range finish.The Bully Wee continued to dominate, Gemmell unleashing another shot before Scott McLaughlin went close with a shot and Chris Smith had a header saved.With half-time approaching Linton doubled the lead, finding the top-right corner from a central position after David Gormley's pass.Dylan Easton had Elgin's first meaningful shot on goal and soon after the break MacLeod headed a goal for the visitors. The Black and Whites kept up the pressure with shots from Easton and MacLeod.Gormley forced Mark Hurst into a save to shift the momentum and, soon after, Mark McLaughlin nodded in from close range to restore a two-goal lead.Elgin responded with Connor McLaren's effort that missed on the right and Mark Nicolson's shot going over the bar, but Jim Weir's side could not pull another goal back.