Cove Rangers6–1Dumbarton

Cove Rangers hit Sons for six on a night to forget at The Balmoral Stadium.

In front of just 103 people, a record low attendance for a competitive Dumbarton game played with open doors, the hardy band of Sons fans who ventured to the North East weren’t rewarded for their efforts - despite Connor Campbell opening the scoring.

A much-changed side saw youngster Bradley Gibson handed his senior debut after impressing for the U20s, whilst Jack McConnell, Scott Tomlinson, Leighton McIntosh, Ally Spalding and Connor Campbell all returned to the starting lineup.

Just six weeks after defeating the Toonsers 2-0 at Cliftonhill, Sons got off to the perfect start - but only after weathering an early storm from the home side.

Destiny Oladipo flashed over a header for the hosts inside the opening five minutes, before Jordan White twice went close. First he had an effort well blocked by Sons keeper McConnell, before the perfectly placed Tommy Robson denied the former Dumbarton loanee on the line.

Then, with their first opening of the game, Sons took the lead. As Connor Campbell was the most alert to nod home from point-blank range.

The joy lasted all of 20 seconds as Paul Hartley’s side found an immediate response, with White getting the goal he had threatened by nodding in Edimond Oppong’s delivery.

White then turned provider five minutes before half-time to give the hosts the lead, clipping a ball to the back post where strike-partner Destiny Oladipo was on hand to finish.

That set the tone for the second-half, as White quickly grabbed a second of the game - reacting quickest to bundle into the net after McConnell had parried an Arron Darge effort.

A superb long-range Darge effort made it 4-1 with just over 10 minutes of the second 45 played - as those in the away end resigned themselves to an empty-handed return down the A90.

Former Scotland cap Chris Maguire almost caught out McConnell with a superb effort from long-range, but it wasn't long before the game’s fifth goal arrived. In style.

Defender Liam Parker let rip from range with a missile of an effort that flew beyond McConnell and found the net.

Aaron Fraser cracked the underside of the bar from a dangerous Maguire delivery with Cove in no mood to let up as they chased a sixth goal, but that wouldn’t arrive until stoppage time.

This time Parker was the creator, with the towering defender’s delivery glanced home by Ryan Harrington - ensuring a bad day at the office ended on a suitably low note.