Match Report

Dumbarton fought back from 2-0 down to move 10 points clear of Edinburgh City with a draw against Forfar Athletic.

In a howling gale at The Rock, Sons were trailing at half-time thanks to Jake Sutherland’s early penalty and a Callum Wilson strike.

But Frank McKeown’s men refused to lie down and, with the wind at their backs, talisman Leighton McIntosh netted his 16th goal of the season – before Scott Honeyman levelled things up with 11 minutes remaining.

Missing Ali Omar and Alexander Smith with both players on international duty, boss McKeown was forced into two changes – as Josh Todd and Gordon Walker earned recalls.

Sons found themselves playing into a fierce wind in the first-half on a difficult pitch that had been subject to a pre-match inspection – and fell behind with just 8 minutes played.

The ball hit the arm of skipper Mark Durnan inside, with referee Gavin Duncan taking a moment before pointing to the spot – to the disbelief of the big defender.

Jake Sutherland stepped up to dispatch confidently beyond Aidan Rice from 12 yards.

Sons looked to hit back as Scott Honeyman sent Leighton McIntosh racing in on goal, with the striker outmuscling Jake Dolzanski – only for referee Duncan’s whistle to stop play before he could get a shot away.

However it would be the Loons who struck next. With a former Sons man returning to haunt his old side.

Sutherland’s deep cross caught out the Dumbarton defence, with Callum Wilson the sharpest to bundle the ball into the net and leave Sons with a mountain to climb.

Things could’ve got worse, as Aidan Rice twice reacted well to keep the deficit at two. First he got down quickly to deflect Sutherland’s low cross wide, before bravely denying Blair Alston one-one-one.

The half ended with Sons’ best chance of note.

Josh Todd’s corner was sent goalwards by skipper Durnan and blocked on the line, before the whistle of referee Duncan ended a period of penalty box pinball.

After taking a head-knock in the first-half, Kai Kirkpatrick was replaced at half-time by forward Jack Duncan – and Sons instantly looked a different side now they had the conditions in their favour.

Gordon Walker’s clever free-kick sent Mark Durnan clear, with his dangerous cross missing everyone in white and gold – albeit the flag of the standside assistant was already up.

Brilliant driving play from Scott Tomlinson then saw the winger bully his way to the byline and find Leighton McIntosh, but the forward’s effort was blocked. Adam Livingstone’s delivery from the resulting corner was then scrambled clear by the Loons backline.

The chances were really starting to flow for Dumbarton, with a surging Kristian Webster run creating an opening for Scott Honeyman – but his effort from a great position in the area lacked power and trundled wide.

Honeyman quickly turned provider to set up McIntosh, who wriggled free of a defender and drilled goalwards – but was denied by another brave Forfar block.

The goal felt as if it was coming as Sons continued to knock on the door, and with 20 minutes remaining McIntosh finally got the better of the Forfar defence for the fourth time this season.

Mark Durnan’s long ball sent the forward clean through, and he got enough on his effort to squeeze it beyond the onrushing Marc McCallum and into the net.

Nine minutes later the leveller arrived.

Strong play from impressive substitute Duncan found Scott Tomlinson, with his swirling cross brought down by Scott Honeyman. As the Loons scrambled to clear their lines, the ball found Adam Livingstone on the left – and his drilled cross was deflected into the net by Honeyman for his fourth goal in five games.

Things could’ve got even better as Livingstone saw a ferocious 25 yard piledriver deflected over soon after, however Sons were made to settle for another precious point.

Dumbarton 2

71′ Leighton McIntosh, 79′ Scott Honeyman

Yellow card: 75′ Mark Durnan

Forfar Athletic 2

9′ (P) Jake Sutherland, 21′ Callum Wilson

Referee: Gavin Duncan

Attendance 694

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Highlights

Post-match reaction