Match Report

Dumbarton made it six games unbeaten – and moved nine points clear of the relegation playoffs – with victory against Annan Athletic.

Scott Honeyman’s 10th of the season and a clinical Leighton McIntosh strike had Sons 2-0 up and cruising midway through the second-half, with Keith Watson arrowing in a consolation for the Galabankies deep into stoppage time.

Missing influential midfielder Josh Todd, boss Frank McKeown was forced into one change from the side which had earned a point against Elgin City a week previous – with Kai Kirkpatrick earning a recall.

Despite perfect conditions, the first-half was bereft of drama and opportunity.

Alexander Smith, fresh on the back of a call-up for the Scotland under-19s, played a neat one-two with Leighton McIntosh but his effort lacked power and was easily held by Charlie Albinson in the home goal.

A deflected Scott Tomlinson cross then almost caught out Albinson, but Adam Livingstone was unable to turn the ball in at the far post – whilst at the other end Josh Dixon was crowded out after bustling his way into a good position.

With clearcut openings at a premium, the second-half started with a golden chance coming and going for Sons.

Smith showed superb footwork to create space down the left before delivering a sumptuous ball for the onrushing Mikey Doyle at the far post – with the full-back only denied a first Dumbarton goal by a terrific point-blank Albinson save.

Smith’s delivery from the resulting corner then dropped for Scott Honeyman, but he was denied by a heroic last-ditch Keith Watson block.

It felt as if the first goal was always going to be vital, and Dumbarton duly got it shortly before the hour.

Aidan Rice’s goal-kick put Watson and teammate Scott Hooper in all kinds of bother on the edge of their own penalty box, with the ball falling to Honeyman – who slid the ball into the net at the second attempt, having initially been denied by Albinson in the away goal.

Four minutes later a quickfire second arrived.

Another long ball caused issues in the Annan defence, with Hooper skewing the ball out for a corner.

Alexander Smith took full advantage, with the Rangers loanee providing the perfect delivery for Leighton McIntosh to volley home from inside the six-yard box for his 15th goal of a superb campaign.

Sons keeper Aidan Rice was enjoying a far quieter afternoon than in his previous home game, but the Celtic youngster had to be alert to spring off his line and collected a dangerous Tommy Muir delivery with Tommy Goss lurking at the far post.

A raft of changes for Sons followed, with Aidan Smith hitting the stanchion for the visitors with a dipping free-kick – as they continued to throw bodies forward in search of a lifeline.

That did arrive in the fourth minute of stoppage time, with the Galabankies’ first shot on target of the afternoon finding the net.

Veteran Paul McGowan deflected the ball into the path of Keith Watson, who lashed a terrific high finish beyond Rice to set up a nervy final seconds.

However it was very nearly Sons who had the final say.

Tony Wallace took advantage of a scuffed Albinson clearance and charged in on goal, squaring for Jack Duncan and Ally Roy – but both Dumbarton subs slipped at the vital moment.

It wouldn’t matter however as referee Connor Ashwood’s whistle sounded almost immediately after, as Sons celebrated moving nine points clear of basement club Edinburgh City with just six games remaining.

Dumbarton 2

58′ Scott Honeyman, 63′ Leighton McIntosh

Yellow cards: 16′ Mark Durnan, 73′ Scott Tomlinson

Annan Athletic 1

90’+4 Keith Watson

Referee: Connor Ashwood

Attendance: 618

Highlights

Post-match reaction

Match photos