Tuesday 16th April 2013
DUMBARTON took a major step towards securing their First Division safety this evening, claiming a deserved 3-1 victory over Falkirk in an end-to-end game.
Early pressure came from the home side, but on 19 minutes Mark Gilhaney opened the scoring for Sons. Just two minutes later Garry Fleming, who had a fine game, made it two at the end of a well worked move.
Lyle Taylor pulled one back for Falkirk shortly after the half hour. But Dumbarton saw the half out still in the lead, thanks to some gutsy defending and several important saves from ‘keeper Stephen Grindlay.
After the break the Bairns applied more pressure. However, Sons held their own and pushed back strongly. On 65 minutes Fleming burst through to secure his brace and give the visitors what turned out to be a decisive 3-1 lead.
Next up for Dumbarton, following this solid all-round performance, is a crucial home match against relegated Airdrie United on Saturday, with more points needed to avoid the playoffs.
If the strong, vocal support shown by travelling Sons fans can be replicated at the Rock in the remaining two matches there, it will be a major boost to a team that has fought hard to make survival in the second tier of Scottish football a realistic prospect.
Full match report now online.
Simon Barrow