Dumbarton1–3Stenhousemuir

Stevie Farrell admitted his Sons side got what they deserved after a below par showing against Stenhousemuir saw them end the first quarter of the campaign winless.

Blair Alston’s early penalty and a double from Matty Aitken meant Carlo Pignatiello’s header counted for little at The Rock.

And the boss pulled no punches about his side’s showing, saying: “That’s the worst we’ve played this season and we got exactly what we deserved. There are no excuses at all.

“We can point to injuries or suspensions, but the reality is that we’ve lost three goals - two from corners and one from a penalty conceded in the second phase of a corner.

“You can’t defend like that and expect to win games.

“At the other end of the pitch we’ve created some magnificent chances in the first-half and not taken them again.

“The problem we’ve got is that we’re always chasing games.”

With skipper Mark Durnan ruled out by suspension, Farrell handed Mikey Miller and Aron Lynas recalls - with Kalvin Orsi the other player to drop out.

After seeing an early header from Gregor Buchanan cleared off the line, it took the reigning League Two champions just 11 minutes to find a breakthrough.

A corner was only half-cleared with referee Steven Maclean judging that Sons keeper Brett Long had fouled Stenny defender Ross Meechan as he came to claim a high ball - despite bemused looks from those in white.

Veteran Blair Alston stepped up to tuck home the penalty.

After another Buchanan header from a wicked Matty Yates corner had been cleared off the line by Aron Lynas, referee Maclean received more ire from the home end.

Ex-Sons skipper Buchanan appeared to stamp on keeper Long’s back as he held a header on the goal-line, leaving the Northern Irishman writhing in pain and requiring extensive treatment.

After a delay the keeper was taken from the park in a wheelchair, with referee Maclean deciding that a word with Buchanan was sufficient punishment - to the fury of the home support, and dugout.

Long’s replacement Paddy O’Neil was quickly called into action to paw clear another header from a dangerous Yates corner, before Sons’ first real chance of note came and went.

Great feet from Craig McGuffie saw the diminutive attacker open up space before sending Michael Ruth surging clear, and his low drive flashed just wide of Darren Jamieson’s far post.

Just as it felt as if Sons were starting to get a foothold in the game, they found themselves 2-0 down.

Another superb Yates corner was met by Matty Aitken, with the ball evading everyone in the box and trundling in at the far post.

Sons’ response was strong, and they almost got one back after a sensational move.

Slick interplay between Matty Shiels and Craig McGuffie carved open the Warriors, with Shiels shot from close range clattering the post.

The pressure was maintained however, with the ball sent back into the area for Carlo Pignatiello to bullet into the net.

A superb charge from Sena Niang then set up McGuffie with a golden chance to level, but with the ball on his weaker right foot he scooped over the bar with keeper Jamieson stranded.

Chances were at a premium in the second-half, with stand-in keeper O’Neil reacting sharply twice to deny Yates and then a Blair Alston overhead kick.

Sons’ task then got even harder as they were reduced to 10 men for the fourth time this season as the already booked Cammy Clark was shown a second yellow for a tug on Aitken.

They continued to attack, but struggled to test Warriors keeper Jamieson - with Kalvin Orsi seeing a shot blocked and Michael Ruth blazing over after a strong run.

And a bad day ended on a low note with 10 minutes to play as another Yates delivery wasn’t dealt with, and Aitken nipped in at the back post to find the net again