DUMBARTON have retained their five-point cushion at the top of cinch League Two by beating Stranraer 2-0 at Stair Park.
Despite a bright start by Sons, the home side were first to go close when a shot by Luke Watt bounced down off the bar midway through the first half.
Shortly afterwards, Brett Long made a great save to deny Craig Ross after the defender connected with a corner.
However, on 31 minutes Dumbarton took the lead, Ross MacLean finishing at the back post after a corner was headed into the mix.
The second half saw Sons have to dig in before a glorious second goal on 76 minutes, Gregor Buchanan rising to head home a Joe McKee corner.
A Ryan Blair shot from distance went over off the top of the bar not long after.
To add a further positive to the afternoon, youth team product Luca Vata made his first team debut as a late substitute.
All roads now lead back to Dumbarton Football Stadium for a run of three consecutive home fixtures, which starts against Stirling Albion on Tuesday evening.