Ford Repair: Clutch, brake fluid reservoir, brake master cylinder

Question
I have a 1991 Ford Escort with a 1.9L engine.  Recently, I experienced the clutch not engaging and the car not wanting to go into gear.

I looked under the hood and noticed that the brake fluid reservoir, which I believe also provides fluid to the clutch, was 1/2 full.  I read in my Haynes repair book that this may allow air into the lines.

I talked to the local auto parts store and they said it was the slave cylinder and that I needed to bleed the line.  I did this but it did not fix the problem.

Tonight, I was driving home from work and at a stop light the car wouldn't go into first gear.  Now, I cannot get the car to go into first gear  once I stop.  The only way I can get the car to go is to START it IN 2nd gear and take off once the engine fires.

Is this due to the slave cylinder, does it need to be bled again or is it shot and needs to be replaced?  Or, horrors, is my clutch shot and I am looking at a large $ repair?

The car has 180,000 miles on it with the original clutch, so I don't believe I want to put much money into the car, even though I really like the darn thing.

Thanks so much for your help,

Steven

Answer
Hello and thanks for the question...I'll try to help.
I wouldn't go jumping the gun and say it's the slave cylinder right away. The fluid does come from the brake master cylinder reservoir, BUT.....if it was low enough to let air in to the system.......your brakes would have a problem as well. What I would suggest is that you have a garage take a look at it and diagnose it properly.
Hope this helps,
Erik