Dumbarton1–2Spartans

Stevie Farrell admits his Sons need to find some home comforts, after suffering a third loss in G82 of the League 2 season.

 

First-half goals from Bradley Whyte and Marc McNulty either side of a booming Leighton McIntosh header did the damage, with table-topping Spartans holding firm in a second period that also saw them miss a penalty.

 

A frustrated Faz said: “Our home form isn’t good enough and it needs to improve. Our away form is where it needs to be. But we need to do something about our home form and remedy that.

 

“That starts with defending better. But there’s no excuse, you can put it down to whatever you want. The grass is green and the ball is round. That’s the same at home or away.

 

“I think some of the football we played in the first-half was very good. There’s no excuse. I don’t know if it’s now in the players’ heads because we’re on a bad run. There’s no magic formula, we just have to get back on the training ground, work hard and put it right.”

 

Boss Farrell made two changes to the side which had drawn with Stirling Albion a fortnight earlier, as Scott Tomlinson and fit-again skipper Mark Durnan returned. Aron Lynas and Tony Wallace dropped to the bench.

 

Sons started brightly with a slick move finding Scott Honeyman in space inside the first minute, but his cross was just too high for Leighton McIntosh - and flicked behind by Jordan Tapping for an early corner.

 

A host of corners followed for both sides, but it was the hosts who finally made one count as they took the lead with 15 minutes played.

 

James Craigen’s outswinging delivery found Ayrton Sonkur at the far post, with his shot bravely blocked on the line by Scott Honeyman - only for the ball to land at the feet of Bradley Whyte on the edge of the area, and he lashed through a crowded box and beyond Shay Kelly.

 

Sons attempted to hit back immediately, but Leighton McIntosh flicked a header from Scott Tomlinson’s delivery wide of target - before the away side passed up a glorious chance to double their lead.

 

Former Scotland international Marc McNulty timed his run brilliantly to breach Dumbarton’s offside trap and charge in on goal, he was delayed by keeper Kelly - before eventually getting a shot away that was cleared off the line by the perfectly positioned Kristian Webster.

 

That looked like it might come back to haunt Spartans, as Sons quickly drew themselves level.

 

After winning another string of corners, Leighton McIntosh towered above everyone to bullet home Dom Docherty’s delivery - and celebrate his first home goal as a Dumbarton player.

 

The joy was short-lived however, as Spartans almost immediately restored their advantage.

 

Mark Stowe’s clever pass sent Cammy Russell racing in behind Kristian Webster, with Shay Kelly only able to parry his powerful effort from a tight angle.

 

Russell towered above Webster to nod the rebound across goal, where McNulty atoned for his squandered chance by nodding into the empty net.

 

Boss Stevie Farrell turned to his bench at half-time, with Gordon Walker introduced to replace Webster - but it was the away side who started the stronger, enjoying plenty of the ball. Albeit without seriously testing Shay Kelly.

 

Aside from a glancing Walker header that bounced wide of the far post, Sons were toiling to create chances - and then gifted their opponents a chance to put the game to bed.

 

James Craigen’s clever deep cross caught out Kai Kirkpatrick, who pulled down Spartans wideman Russell as the ball skipped off the surface and out of play.

 

Referee Ross Birrell had no option but to point to the spot, as Sons conceded their sixth penalty of the League Two season. However this time they were granted a reprieve, as Russell smashed his effort off the face of the bar and the ball spun to safety.

 

Substitute Ally Roy’s sharp turn and shot from the edge of the box then briefly had the home end thinking they were about to see the comeback kids strike again, however his effort flew over the full-stretch Martin - as Dumbarton were left with that all too familiar sinking feeling at home again.