Saturday 1st March 2014
DUMBARTON’S eight game unbeaten run came to an end in Dumfries this afternoon, as they went down 3-1 to Queen of the South.
Sons started positively and strongly, but gradually Queens moved into their stride, getting in behind the Dumbarton defence with direct, attacking pace.
The home side went ahead just after the half hour, when ex-Son Iain Russell won what looked to be a fairly soft free kick on the edge of the area. Chris Mitchell crossed and Mark Durnan rose to head home from the resulting set play.
Just before the half time whistle the Doonhamers made it 2-0. Andy Dowie set up Gavin Reilly for a close range finish from a corner kick.
After the break Dumbarton pressed back. Queens had the measure of them though, and looked effectively to have wrapped the game up at 3-0 on 65 minutes, when Bob McHugh found space for a fine, curving shot high into the right corner.
Steven McDougall, Garry Fleming and Michael Miller came on for Sons in a treble substitution shortly afterwards. The impact was felt immediately when Miller struck home with a deflected shot from outside the box, giving Dumbarton a lifeline at 3-1 on 71 minutes.
Chris Kane came agonisingly close again for Sons as he flew on to a Scott Agnew strike feet away from the Queens goal line. But in the end it was not to be on a grey afternoon at Palmerston.
Full match report and photos now online.
Simon Barrow