Sons returned to William Hill League 2 action at the Rock after two consecutive away fixtures, as we welcomed Stranraer and former Sons gaffer Stevie Aitken back to a windswept G82 this afternoon.

Shooting away from the water, it was the visitors who threatened first, with Daniel McManus forcing Shay Kelly into a smart near post save inside the opening ten minutes.

The Sons’ first chance fell to Leighton McIntosh, who met a terrific cross from Ally Roy on the volley, only for Stranraer goalkeeper Josh Lane to deny him with an excellent save at close range.

Roy himself then went close twice. First, he combined superbly with Adam Livingstone before dragging a shot just wide of the far post. Minutes after, he shrugged off a challenge and fired low under Lane, but his effort was cleared off the line for a corner as the stalemate remained.

Stranraer would edge in front shortly before the interval when they were awarded a penalty. Kelly continued his excellent record of saving spot kicks and denied Mark Russell from twelve yards, but the Blues skipper reacted quickest to convert the rebound and give the visitors a half-time lead.

Chris Johnston replaced Roy at the break, but Stranraer continued to press forward, with Russell almost doubling his tally after a mazy run, only to drag his shot narrowly past Kelly’s far post.

Johnston would later make his mark, delivering a pinpoint cross onto the head of skipper Mark Durnan. Lane saved Durnan’s initial effort, but Vinny was on hand to bundle home the rebound at the second attempt, his third goal of the season (or fourth, if you ask him!), bringing the Sons level.

Scott Tomlinson and Scott Honeyman would force saves from Lane as we pushed for the lead before McManus would hit the post for Stranraer from the edge of the area.

We would commit men forward late on chasing a victory that would have put us second in the table but we would be caught on the break. A long ball up the park was latched onto by James Dolan, who curled a long range effort past Kelly onto the bar and down into the goal.

A killer at the end of a tight game, the side will look to rebound quickly as we return to the road next Saturday as we take on Stirling Albion at Forthbank before returning to the Rock to face Rangers B in the KDM Evolution Trophy the following week.

Dumbarton 1

Stranraer 2

Match Highlights