Dumbarton2–1Stirling Albion

Scott Honeyman grabbed the winner as Dumbarton secured their place in the SPFL for another season.

 

The midfielder was the quickest to react after Stirling Albion keeper Robert Duffy parried an Alexander Smith free-kick 10 minutes from time to extend Sons’ unbeaten run to nine matches - and put to bed any fears of finishing as club 42.

 

Boss Frank McKeown named an unchanged side from the team which had drawn at a windswept Stair Park a week previous, and straight from the off Dumbarton looked like a side playing with confidence.

 

Scott Tomlinson and Scott Honeyman both went close early on, with Sons also forcing a series of corners that caused goal-line stramashes - but ultimately came to nothing.

 

At the other end, former Dumbarton man Russell McLean took advantage of some slack play to burst clear - but his effort one-on-one with Aidan Rice lacked power, and was easily held by the Celtic loanee.

 

After both Mark Durnan and Leighton McIntosh had flashed efforts wide, League Two Player of the Month McIntosh was denied by a sharp Robert Duffy save after drilling in an effort from an angle.

 

Sons were creating all of the openings, and ex-Bino Mikey Doyle was next to go close as he flashed a header wide from Alexander Smith’s corner - before Ali Omar lashed over after another Smith delivery had caused panic in the Stirling backline.

 

McIntosh then had the home end off their seats as he glanced a bouncing header from Scott Tomlinson’s inch-perfect delivery - before the two reversed roles for the opener.

 

McIntosh spun on the half-way line and looped a ball in behind Binos defender Billy Hutchinson for Tomlinson to race onto - and the Ayr United loanee arrowed an outside of the boot effort through keeper Duffy from a narrow angle.

 

That would be Tomlinson’s final action of note however, as he was replaced at half-time after feeling unwell - with Jack Duncan taking his place up front.

 

After being second best for most of the first-half, the Binos started the second period in the best way possible - as they drew level with nine minutes played.

 

Mackenzie Carse took advantage of some generous Sons defending to work his way into the box, before sliding the ball to Dale Hilson who drilled beyond Aidan Rice from six yards.

 

Both sides struggled to create chances after the leveller, with half-time sub Duncan agonisingly close to turning in Kristian Webster’s inviting cross - before Alexander Smith wriggled himself into space in the area, but flashed an effort right across the face of goal.

 

However with 10 minutes remaining the decisive moment arrived. Kristian Webster was caught by a high-foot on the edge of the area, with Sons awarded an indirect free-kick.


Alexander Smith’s low effort proved too hot to handle for Albion keeper Duffy, who could only parry the ball straight to Scott Honeyman - who stabbed into the empty net.

 

There was still time for more drama however as, late in injury time, a scuffle broke out after Mark Durnan clattered into Billy Hutchinson in midfield - with substitute Kai Kirkpatrick seeing red after lashing out at pantomime villain Russell McLean.

 

Sons saw out the final seconds of stoppage time to loud celebrations from the home end, as Frank McKeown’s men confirmed safety - and leapfrogged the Binos in the League Two table.