Saturday 18th January 2020
DUMBARTON came agonisingly close to a famous draw away against Aberdeen in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup this afternoon, only to be thwarted by a last minute penalty which gave the home side a narrow 1-0 win.
While Aberdeen were pressing hard in the final third for most of the first half, Sons remained solid at the back with occasional forays forward.
The Dons were restricted to a handful of half chances on goal, while for Dumbarton PJ Crossan saw his effort fly well over the bar on 25 minutes.
Aberdeen came out of the blocks fast after the break, but Sons kept doggedly closing them down.
Perhaps the best chance for Aberdeen came just before the hour, when Ashton Taylor met a corner and it took a deflection before hitting the post and going behind.
With 15 minutes left on the clock keeper Conor Brennan (pictured) pulled off a massive save for Dumbarton, as Bruce Anderson struck hard.
In the closing minutes the Dons streamed forward and with a few minutes left got the break they had been looking for.
Sam Cosgrove was adjudged to have been pulled down in the area, and duly slotted the ball home from the penalty spot to give Aberdeen the 1-0 win that it looked for much of the game might elude them.
Full match report and photos now online. Reaction, GoalPro and TV coverage to follow.
Simon Barrow