Sunday's defeat is being blamed on the loss of Greig Williamson and Ian Stanger, who were both on duty for a Scotland XI at Aberdeen, as their influence had been evident in the game against Stirling. Both all-rounders had picked up three wickets as Stirling were bowled out for 153. Then, after veteran Scott Weir had given the Titwood side a good start with a polished 51, the two internationals steered their team to victory.

Stirling started well through an opening stand of 61 before Jon Taylor slashed Paul Dunn to backward point but, apart from a solid 43 by Hari Sodhi and an enterprising 32 from Bruce Russell, the rest of the home batting had little to offer. Clydesdale lost just three wickets in cantering to victory.

But bereft of Stanger and Williamson on Sunday, Clydesdale seemed nevertheless to be on course when they bowled out Accies for 118. In reply, they had cruised to 37 for the first wicket but, with their score on 59, they incredibly lost seven wickets without adding a run and were eventually all out for 69. Peter Flockhart took eight for 20.

The defeat sends them down to sixth in the Conference C table, below Greenock and Freuchie in the chase for that crucial fourth place, with five games left.

Greenock's climb continued when they knocked Ayr off the top with a seven-wicket win at Cambusdoon. With Andre Percival (four for 20) and Tom Black (three for 43) making inroads, only 55 from Kevin Roberts enabled the home team to reach 159. Greenock comfortably overtook them with Ken Godsman and David Arnott putting on 70 for the first wicket and Percival sealing victory with his 56.

Aberdeenshire recovered top spot with a three-wicket win at Uddingston, where Garth Nottle's 76 and Mike Smith's 52 laid the foundations. Freuchie however, lost badly at home to Arbroath while Ferguslie were cementing third place with a win at Prestwick where Lee Carseldine made a good start with 71.

Alan Burgess (four for 29) and Jamie Graham (three for 37) had bowled the home team out for 163 despite 61 from Drew Parsons before Stuart Kennedy steered his team home with an unbeaten half-century.

West of Scotland maintained their lead in Conference B despite narrowly avoiding a home defeat at the hands of Stoneywood Dyce, who strengthened their third place. The Aberdeen side rattled up 219 for five with Steve Knox reaching 83. A six-wicket haul by Andy Bee reduced West to 162 for nine but the last pair hung on.

RHSM, bowled out for 96 with Keith Sheridan taking five for 26, almost snatched an unlikely win when their opponents struggled to 88 for nine, Sheridan 36 not out.

There were comfortable wins for Heriot's at Hillhead and Grange at Stenhousemuir, where the Edinburgh side raced to 255 for three in 42 overs after Steve Crawley (70) and Roddy Smith (97) had put on 50 in the first four overs. The home team, without their professional David Blake, who has returned to New Zealand for personal reasons, were all out for 169.