Dumbarton2–2Celtic B

Dumbarton fought back from 2-0 down to secure a first point in the KDM Evolution Trophy against Celtic B.

 

Two mistakes from Sons’ young trialist goalkeeper had the visitors 2-0 up inside half an hour, but a first Dumbarton goal from Connor Campbell renewed hope right on the stroke of half-time.

 

And Sons came out the traps flying in the second-half, with Samuel Sedwell’s own goal ensuring that the spoils were shared.

 

Boss Frank McKeown rotated his squad after the weekend defeat to Kelty Hearts, handing Robbie Cleary his debut in one of four changes - which also saw a trialist goalkeeper replace the unavailable Aidan Rice, Connor Campbell come in for Tommy Robson, Josh Todd replace Kai Kirkpatrick and Robbie Cleary to Deryn Lang’s spot.

 

Keen to make an impression from the off, Cleary was the first to go close.

 

Tenacious play down the left saw him drive beyond a challenge and arrow a low effort on target that was impressively held by Corey Shaw in the Young Hoops’ goal.

 

However, as had been the case throughout pre-season, an error from Dumbarton’s trialist goalkeeper then gifted the visitors a golden chance to go ahead.

 

He scuffed a clearance straight at Thomas Hatton on the edge of the box, with the forward keeping his cool to square to Lucas Clearie who calmly rolled into the net.

 

Clearie almost added a second soon after, but was crowded out by white shirts. Whilst at the other end, the closest Sons came saw the stretching Leighton McIntosh just unable to connect with an inviting Connor Campbell delivery.

 

Then, on the half-hour, lightning struck for a second time.

 

Hatton charged down the trialist Sons keeper, who cannoned the ball off the onrushing forward and straight into the net.

 

With just two wins in their previous nine outings it would’ve been easy for Dumbarton to crumble. But instead the Sons found their way back into the game, right on the stroke of half-time.

 

Ally Spalding’s cross wasn’t well dealt with by the Celtic defence and was recycled by Leighton McIntosh and Robbie Cleary - eventually dropping to Connor Campbell on the edge of the area.

 

The defender dropped a shoulder to deceive his man before drilling a perfectly placed effort into the bottom corner of Shaw's net.

 

A quadruple change at half-time saw Jack McConnell handed his Dumbarton debut, replacing the trialist goalkeeper, with Josiah Sowa, Deryn Lang and Scott Tomlinson also introduced.

 

And it didn’t take Frank McKeown’s men long to draw level - with a stroke of deserved fortune of their own in front of goal.

 

A sharp move saw Josiah Sowa and Ally Spalding combine to set skipper Mikey Doyle racing clear, and his cross was sliced beyond keeper Shaw by Celtic defender Samuel Sedwell.

 

Sons were now playing with a real confidence, and almost completed a quickfire turnaround - as substitute Lang’s dipping header bounced off the top of the bar.

 

A quick break involving Lang then saw Mikey Doyle just unable to control his cutback, whilst at the other end - despite controlling possession - Celtic were struggling to find a way to test McConnell.

 

Lang’s tenacity was causing all sorts of problems for the tiring visitors and he thought he’d found a winner with four minutes remaining.

 

The summer signing from Stranraer got on the end of a Kai Kirkpatrick delivery, outmuscling a defender before smashing high into the net - only for the whistle of referee Conor Greenan to rule the strike out for a barge in the build-up, as Sons had to settle for a point.