Saturday 29th April 2017
DUMBARTON all but secured their place in the Ladbrokes Championship this afternoon, drawing 2-2 against Dundee United in a tumultuous game at Tannadice.
The opening twenty minutes was a huge declaration of intent from United, whose fast, attacking football left Sons scrabbling — especially on the right.
On 22 minutes the home side capitalised on one of a series of corners, Andreu heading home past a stretched keeper Alan Martin.
Sons had a few chances despite the continued pressure. Robert Thomson glanced on a corner from Sam Stanton on 26 minutes, but the ball went over and on to the roof of the net.
Eight minutes later Dumbarton levelled, apparently out of nowhere. Thomson did the damage with a close range header after United half cleared a corner.
The Tannadice men went on the offensive again after the break, but Sons were resilient.
On 64 minutes the away end exploded with joy when Stanton drove forward. He teed up Lewis Vaughan, who dinked the ball over international keeper Cammy Bell to make it 2-1 to Dumbarton.
Then United got a break on the edge of the box on 77 minutes. An initial shot was saved, but Thomas Mikkelsen buried the rebound to equalise.
Sons hung on bravely towards the end, when players and coaching staff came to the away end to salute, and be applauded by, the fans.
After the game BBC Alba interviewed scorer Lewis Vaughan and man of the match Andy Stirling (pictured).
The result gives Dumbarton a three point advantage and a nine goal difference over Raith Rovers in the relegation play-off place.
Full match report and photos, and Sons TV, now online.
Simon Barrow