Saturday 11th December 2021
DUMBARTON opened the scoring but then slumped to another defeat at home to second-placed Montrose.
Manager Stevie Farrell fielded a same-again side for the the important clash with the on-form Gable Endies on a damp dreich day at the Moreroom.com Stadium. Fit again Ross MacLean joined midfielder Joe McKee and young on loan Hearts striker Ryan Schiavone on the subs bench.
The visitors were first to threaten, with Gregor Buchanan blocking a Blair Lyons effort and Liam Callaghan shooting wide. At the other end a Conner Duthie cross was headed off the post by Eogan Stokes.
The opener was not long delayed as Duthie (pictured) netted in the 15th minute after a flowing move started by Carlo Pignatellio and carried on by Andy Geggan ended with the winger rounding keeper Aaron Lennox and slotting home. Soon after Edin Lynch won a Callum Wilson free kick, but Duthie’s shot was cleared off the line.
In the 27th minute a Paddy Boyle cross from the left was met by Stokes but he shot over the bar, but four minutes later Montrose were awarded a penalty and Graham Webster scored from the spot. Two minutes later Webster made it 2-1.
Two minutes from the interval Stokes was through on goal, but the keeper rushed out to block, and the half ended with the visitors ahead.
A Duthie strike in the 50th minute from a Kalvin Orsi free kick landed on the roof of the net. Seven minutes later Wilson headed a Paul Paton cross over the bar, but then Montrose went 3-1 up through Callaghan.
This prompted a double substitution by Sons, with MacLean and Schiavone replacing Stokes and Wilson, and in the 73rd minute McKee replaced Geggan. McKee then delivered a free kick which Schiavone nodded wide.
Soon after Schiavone headed a Duthie cross but it was scrambled clear, and the home side were unable to add to their tally and slipped to second bottom of the table.
Donald Fullarton