Dumbarton2–0East Kilbride

Frank McKeown made the perfect first impression at The Rock with a barnstorming 2-0 victory against East Kilbride.

Early goals from Dom Docherty and Mark Durnan did the damage against Mick Kennedy’s table-toppers, ending a run of five straight defeats - and recording a first league clean sheet of the season in the process, against the division’s most prolific attack.

After shipping four goals in their last three outings, boss new McKeown welcomed back skipper Mark Durnan to the side - with ex-Kilby men Tony Wallace and Ally Roy also earning recalls.

In a swirling wind and torrential rain, Sons defended a collection of early East Kilbride corners - before hitting their opponents on the break to open the scoring inside the first five minutes.

Shay Kelly’s goal kick was flicked on by Leighton McIntosh to strike partner Ally Roy, and he breezed beyond Jordan McGregor before squaring for Dom Docherty to stab beyond Freddie Owens in the away goal.

Kelly had to be alert soon after to deny Kilby talisman John Robertson after a trademark run from the right, before Kilby keeper Owens bravely dived at the feet of Kristian Webster after dropping a deep corner right to the feet of the defender.

Sons looked a side transformed and were playing with a real confidence and aggression, whilst the visitors continued to struggle with the horrific conditions.

Gordon Walker almost added a second, but couldn’t quite adjust his body to touch in Docherty’s vicious deep cross. But the home fans wouldn’t have to wait long for a second, with Docherty’s delivery again causing EK major issues.

The former Annan man’s corner from the left was perfect for onrushing skipper Mark Durnan, who steered the ball beyond Owens from point-blank range to give Sons a buffer.

Gradually, as the half wore on, East Kilbride grew into the game - but they struggled to test keeper Kelly, as white shirts crowded the box and threw themselves in front of every ball.

With the rain to continue to fall, the second-half was a far more attritional watch than the first - as conditions deteriorated.

Clearly frustrated with his teammates, livewire Robertson was at the heart of everything - good and bad - for the away side.

The former Linfield forward tested Shay Kelly with a fizzing drive from range, before starting the first of three scuffles that would break out after catching Ryan Blair with a flailing arm.

It looked like it was going to take something special to get the away side back in the game. And Connor Young very nearly provided it with 20 minutes remaining.

The forward - who enjoyed a prolific spell with Edinburgh City last season - hammered a 25 yard free-kick goalwards, with Shay Kelly somehow flying across his goal and getting a strong enough arm to the ball to claw it wide.

Teenage attacker Aedan Gilfedder was Frank McKeown’s first substitute as he replaced the superb Roy - and the youth graduate immediately found himself in the action.

After bursting forward he was crudely upended from behind by Jack Leitch, with another scuffle breaking out that saw the Kilby captain and Sons skipper Mark Durnan both booked.

The all-action Docherty was denied a third goal involvement of the day after stinging the palms of Owens from inside the area, before a frustrating day at the office for the away side day ended with Rhys Breen somehow guiding a free header off target - as Sons celebrated a first league clean sheet in eight months.