Elgin City1–1Dumbarton

Leighton McIntosh’s 14th goal of the season saw Dumbarton stretch their unbeaten run to five games.

 

The forward powered home a header from Alexander Smith’s free-kick six minutes into the second-half to cancel out Ryan Sargent’s opener for Elgin City - as Sons edged a further point clear of Edinburgh City at the foot of the table.

 

After a busy week that had brought victories against Spartans and Stranraer, boss Frank McKeown was forced into a change - as a knock ruled out Gordon Walker, with Mikey Doyle taking his place.

 

After enjoying a drive up in glorious spring sunshine, Sons fans found the referee’s whistle greeted almost immediately by a downpour - and that looked to have an impact on the early exchanges, with the game becoming clogged in midfield.

 

Aside from a deflected Scott Tomlinson cross that looped into the air and was awkwardly dealt with by Tom Ritchie in the home goal, chances were at a premium - with City defender Kyle Girvan’s glancing header from a Tony Dingwall cross as close as either side came in the opening half hour.

 

On 33 minutes however, Sons' run without conceding from open play ended after four games and just under 80 minutes.

 

City nicked back possession on the half-way line and surged forward on the counter, with Josh Walker finding Ryan Sargent - and he picked his spot with a curled finish high beyond Aidan Rice in the away goal.

 

Despite forcing a string of corners as the half drew to a close, Dumbarton couldn’t find a leveller before the break - with half-time arguably coming at a good time for Frank McKeown’s men.

 

And they wasted little time in the second-half getting back on level terms.

 

Alexander Smith showed more great footwork on the touchline before being tripped by Ali Spalding.

 

The Rangers loanee dusted himself down to deliver the perfect free-kick, which was met by Leighton McIntosh - who reacted quickest after City keeper Ritchie had superbly saved his initial effort from point-blank range.

 

Sons - and McIntosh - almost added a quickfire second, but he was denied by Ritchie - whilst at the other end, keeper Rice made himself big to deny Mark Gallagher one-on-one.

 

Rice was back in action on the hour mark - pushing away a curling Josh Walker free-kick, before a golden chance came and went for Sons.

 

Scott Tomlinson set off down the right and dug out a cross that dropped perfectly for the unmarked Adam Livingstone at the far post - but he got too much on his effort from six yards, and the ball flew over the bar.

 

A charging McIntosh then had a deflected effort sharply saved by Ritchie, before Scott Honeyman whistled a fizzing drive from the edge of the box off target.

 

Both sides threw caution to the wind in the final minutes, as the game went from end-to-end.

 

Former Clydebank winger Rocco Hickey-Fugaccia was denied by another smart Rice stop, with City forward Kane Hester twice denied by brave blocks.

 

At the other end Sons skipper Mark Durnan glanced a header from Alexander Smith’s corner wide at the far post, as both sides were made to settle for a point.