Match Report

A late strike from former Evan Dunne saw Stranraer grab a point at a windswept Stair Park.

In tough conditions for both teams, Scott Honeyman’s first-half piledriver looked like it might be enough for Sons to secure mathematical safety. Only for a quick free-kick five minutes from time to earn the Blues a late leveller.

Boss Frank McKeown welcomed back Ali Omar and Alexander Smith to the starting lineup after international duty, with concussion ruling out Kai Kirkpatrick and Gordon Walker dropping to the bench.

With fierce crosswinds blowing across the Stair Park pitch, it was the hosts who had the first chance of note.

Skipper Mark Durnan, on his 100th appearance, was short with a backpass that let Aaron Quigg in on goal. However Sons keeper Aidan Rice was out sharply to block with his feet.

Both sides enjoyed spells with the ball to get accustomed to the conditions, with three quickfire chances coming and going for Sons as the game moved beyond the 20 minute mark.

First Adam Livingstone showed Evan Dunne a clean pair of heels and clipped in a cross that dropped to Josh Todd on the edge of the area, with his bouncing volley flashing wide of the far post.

Scott Honeyman then tried his luck from the edge of the area, but saw the ball strike the stanchion of the same post. Before good play from Ali Omar set up the charging Kristian Webster, however his effort also flew narrowly wide of Lyndon Tas’ post.

Then came a major let off for Dumbarton.

A swirling cross dropped perfectly for Quigg in the area, with Dumbarton keeper Rice somehow denying the Stranraer man and teammate Sallu Turay from point blank range.

And that would prove vital as Sons took the lead eight minutes before half-time.

Patient play saw Alexander Smith find Scott Honeyman 25 yards out, and he let rip with a stunning effort that was destined for the top corner from the moment it left his boot.

The second-half saw the Blues enjoy much more of the ball, albeit without creating many openings of note.

Defender Lewis Reid tried his luck with a ferocious effort from 30 yards that flew by Aidan Rice’s right-hand post, with the Celtic youngster then reacting well to push away a superbly struck Finn Ecrepont free-kick.

Aaron Quigg and Deryn Lang were both off target with headers, whilst at the other end Sons’ Scott Tomlinson burst clear – but could only fire straight at home keeper Lyndon Tas.

For all their possession, Chris Aitken’s men were struggling to break down a resolute Dumbarton backline – and Sons then created a golden chance to make all three points secure.

A sharp counter-attack started by Leighton McIntosh saw Alexander Smith set substitute Ally Roy clear, and he hit the byline before cutting back for the unmarked Gordon Walker – but the Irishman slipped with the goal at his mercy and couldn’t divert the ball into the empty net.

And that would prove costly as the hosts levelled within 90 seconds.

Ecrepont’s clever quick free-kick set Danny McManus clear down the left-wing, and his cross had blue shirts queuing up at the far post – with Evan Dunne, who had played as a trialist for Dumbarton over pre-season, slamming into the empty net.

The ever-dangerous Deryn Lang then went close to snatching all three points for the hosts with a sharp turn and shot in the area that bobbled wide – however Sons held on to extend their unbeaten run to eight matches.

Stranraer 1

85′ Evan Dunne

Dumbarton 1

36′ Scott Honeyman

Yellow cards: 52′ Adam Livingstone, 69′ Scott Honeyman

Referee: Gary Hanvidge

Attendance: 454

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