Dumbarton0–1East Kilbride

Dumbarton’s final home game of the year ended in a narrow defeat to champions elect East Kilbride.

 

Mick Kennedy’s men pounced on an early mistake to grab the only goal of the game through Bobby McLuckie, with Sons having nothing to show despite a dominant second-half - with Kilby defending superbly to move within touching distance of the League Two title.

 

Boss Frank McKeown had a selection headache before the game with influential Rangers loanee Alexander Smith joining fellow central midfielder Josh Todd on the injury list - as Kai Kirkpatrick served the final game of his ban.

 

That saw Tobi Joseph earn a recall for his first start since early February to partner Kristian Webster in central midfield.

 

Knowing that three points, and a Spartans defeat, would secure an historic first SPFL title - Mick Kennedy’s visitors came out of the traps flying.

 

Only an outstanding Aidan Rice save denied John Robertson a trademark opener, after the forward surged beyond a challenge and let rip from the edge of the box - with Sons’ Celtic loanee at full stretch to touch the ball over the bar.

 

There would be nothing Rice could do to deny Kilby an early opener however, as they took the lead with a lethal counter-attack inside the opening 10 minutes.

 

Shaun Fagan robbed Adam Livingstone on the half-way line and charged forward before squaring for Hearts loanee Bobby McLuckie to tuck home from close range.

 

Sons looked to hit back, and neat combination play from Gordon Walker and Scott Honeyman saw the Irishman tee’d up for an outside of the boot effort from the edge of the area. But he curled over the bar.

 

At the other end a ferocious Robertson piledriver cannoned off the woodwork with Rice at full stretch, before the 31 goal forward snatched at an effort from inside the box and lashed well wide.

 

More golden chances then came and went for the visitors to put the game to bed as Sons’ goal continued to live a charmed life.

 

First McLuckie trampled on the ball and tripped with the goal at his mercy from six yards, before Jack Leitch rattled the bar with an acrobatic bicycle kick.

 

The half ended with Sons keeper Rice subject of a crunching tackle as he went to collect Robertson’s clever, low free-kick.

 

Referee Cameron Stirling elected to wave play on with the teenager keeper grounded. Before eventually stopping play - with an elbow injury forcing the impressive stopper off.

 

Replacement Brett Long’s first action came within minutes of the restart, as he reacted sharply to deny Connor Young with his legs - before the game settled into a pattern that saw Sons dominate the ball. But struggle to create chances.

 

Skipper Mark Durnan almost got enough on an Adam Livingstone corner to direct it into the net, whilst a host of Kristian Webster long-throws caused panic in the Kilby backline. But couldn’t be forced home.

 

A gaggle of bodies denied top scorer Leighton McIntosh from the best of these chance, with almost every outfield player from both sides packing out a congested penalty area.

 

Another quick EK counter-attack then looked destined to put the result beyond doubt.

 

Lewis Spence took aim from the edge of the area but cracked the post, with the rebound dropping perfectly for Cammy Elliot to knock home - but he hesitated, and Sons sub Ally Roy arrived to block and clear the danger.

 

That could’ve proved a huge moment in the title race too, as Frank McKeown’s men almost levelled in spectacular style deep into stoppage time.

 

Another long throw was only cleared as far as Man of the Match Mark Durnan, who arrowed a spectacular half-volley from a tight angle through a crowd of bodies but narrowly by the post.