Spartans1–2Dumbarton

Dumbarton and corner kicks might not have been the double act that had thousands flocking to the capital. But it ensured that the Sons fans who battled the crowds to make it to Edinburgh had plenty of reason to cheer.


For the second week in succession, Stevie Farrell’s men netted twice from corners - with an early Jamie Dishington own goal added to by a first in Sons colours for Kai Kirkpatrick.


And boss Stevie Farrell was delighted at seeing his side move out of negative points at the first possible opportunity.


He said: “Getting out of negative points was the first objective of the season. Now we’ve got to keep working hard. We’ve achieved nothing.


“We’re in the pack, but now we have to keep working hard. We have to keep doing that in training, keep the humility. It’s been a great start, but it’s something that can fall away very quickly if you aren’t working hard.”


Farrell stuck with the same side that had defeated Clyde 2-1 a week previous, with the returning Kristian Webster not yet available to be added to the bench.


In blustery conditions more akin to the Marbill Coaches Stadium than Pilton, both sides struggled to create chances early on - with a low Mark Stowe effort that was comfortably seen wide by Sons keeper Shay Kelly the only chance of note.


With the wind advantage in the first-half, Sons showed Spartans their dead ball threat as Ryan Blair’s inswinging delivery caused problems - but home keeper Paddy Martin was alert to block from Leighton McIntosh.


It was a warning the hosts didn’t heed however.


With 17 minutes played Sons won a corner from the opposite side, with Dom Docherty’s vicious swirling delivery diverted into his own net by Spartans winger Jamie Dishington.


Mark Stowe almost found a quickfire leveller for the hosts, but found Shay Kelly in his way, before more driving play from the winger almost created a chance for Bailey Dall - only for Adam Livingstone to produce a timely interception.


Sons then thought they’d found a second as superb play set Scott Tomlinson clear, and the Ayr United loanee’s pinpoint cross was bulleted into the net by Ally Roy - but the flag of the assistant cut short celebrations, to the disbelief of those in amber and black.


It mattered little however, as a second for the visitors arrived soon after anyway - with Tomlinson again heavily involved.


Another Docherty corner caused all sorts of issues for Spartans, with Tomlinson teeing up Kai Kirkpatrick to rifle in his first SPFL goal.


Shortly after, great play from Leighton McIntosh saw the forward bring down a Gordon Walker cross and arrow goalwards soon after - but he was denied a first Dumbarton goal by a smart Paddy Martin save.


Another golden chance for the veteran to break his duck then arrived just as the game neared half-time.


Superb play from Ally Roy sent his strike-partner racing clear, but Martin was out sharply again to block one-on-one.


It felt like that miss could come back to haunt the Sons too, with Spartans halving the deficit early in the second-half.


After losing possession cheaply, Bradley Whyte sent Mark Stowe free - and he made no mistake from inside the area.


Dangerman Stowe then looked destined to equalise for the hosts after rounding Kelly, but he could only hit the side netting when it looked easier to find the net.


Sons found themselves under the cosh, albeit with Spartans struggling to create clearcut chances.


However, from a Dumbarton corner, the home side were then handed a late boost - as Ryan Blair picked up a second booking for a shirt tug, despite initially escaping the punishment as Gordon Walker picked up the initial yellow in a case of mistaken identity.


Despite their numerical advantage, and the wind at their back, Spartans couldn’t find a way to trouble Kelly again however - with Sons making it two wins from two on their return to the fourth tier