Falkirk 1
Dumbarton 1
League (League 1)

Match Report

DUMBARTON gained a battling point away to league leaders Falkirk at the Falkirk Stadium in this hectic ending to the season, which ended 1-1.

In early pressure from the home side Sam Ramsbottom was soon in the thick of the action, tipping over a fierce 25 yard free kick from Blair Alston. It was a taste of what was to come from the recalled 'keeper. Alston then went close again rattling the crossbar with another long range effort.

Rabin Omar was looking dangerous when Sons ventured forward and he cut in from the right before hitting a low shot that was well held by Robbie Mutch.

The Sons defence was holding the line well against what was, at times, a four man Falkirk forward line but it was at the other end of the pitch that the next chance came. Adam Frizzell did well to fire the ball into the six yard box which led to an old fashioned 'stramash'. The ball could have gone anywhere but was eventually belted clear by a stretched Falkirk defence.

Just after the hour mark, Ramsbottom was back in the action with another fine save when he blocked a close range header that was net bound. Defending wasn't the only way the 'keeper was contributing to the cause as he provided the assist for the opener. A long clearance beat the Falkirk defence and Omar was on had to blaze a low shot past Mutch for the opener. Who needs 250 passes?!

But the lead lasted only seven minutes, as Anton Dowds volleyed home an Akeel Francis cross to level for Falkirk.

With 10 minutes remaining the home side were reduced to 10 men, Mark Durnan seeing red for an elbowing offence against Robert Jones who was having his best game in a Sons shirt.

However, Sons also finished the game with 10 men, with 'new' signing Isaac Layne hobbling off injured minutes after coming on as a substitute.

Three minutes into stoppage time, Ramsbottom saved the point with the best of his series of saves. Ben Hall connected well with a cross inside the six yard box and the 'keeper performed more heroics with a magnificent save.

Match report written by Graeme Robertson (dumbartonfc.com)