Albion Rovers 2 v 1 Dumbarton

Attendance : 619

Scorers ~ Dumbarton : McQuilken (42).

Dumbarton came to Cliftonhill knowing that nothing less than a win would suffice if they were to keep hopes of a play-off place alive and that's what they got. Goalkeeper Jamie Ewings was back from injury for Rovers but spent the match on the bench whilst player of the month for March Tommy Lennox missed the game due to a family event with the permission of his manager.

Rovers started brightly and Brian Smith took a corner which he put to Ciaran Donnelly well outside the Dumbarton box, Dave McFarlane was the recipient of the next pass but his header was saved by Stephen Grindlay.

McFarlane then became the provider when he laid off the ball to Scott Chaplain whose low drive was wide of the mark. Next a Pat Walker corner was headed well over the crossbar by Peter Watson who had to jump high to make contact.

A Chris Boyle advance down the pitch was looking somewhat dangerous until Iain Chisholm tackled after making impeding the advance for several yards previously. Shortly afterwards Chisholm again thwarted a Boyle attack, this time at the edge of Rovers box.

In 14 minutes Smith headed a Ryan Borris header off the line to prevent the visitors taking an undeserved lead. A weak clearance to John Dillon caused problems for Rovers when he gave the ball to Craig Winter to fire at David Scott.

Chaplain sprung into action in 19 minutes when he turned outside the box only and fired his shot straight at the Dumbarton 'keeper. There was a lull in the game until 42 minutes when the visitors went ahead when Scott jumped for a high ball into his box, only managing to palm it down. Paul McQuilken bundled it home with a defender on the goal line unable to intervene.

Half-Time

It was The Sons who had the first shot of the second period Winter shooting low, forcing Scott to get down sharply to save. Then team-mate Dillon hit a screamer from 30 yards which skimmed over the crossbar.

Rovers defence was playing an important role with Gordon Lennon and Chisholm in particular being called on several times to halt progress of the marauding Dumbarton side.

Smith advanced down the pitch and gave Chaplain the ball and a back-heeler from the prolific scorer provided McFarlane with a chance but the ball went a tad wide of goal.

Chisholm of Rovers and Tiernan of the visitors came close then Boyle missed for Sons. With a minute remaining David Bagan who was had just come off the bench almost scored with his first touch of the ball but was thwarted by the legs of Scott. 

Albion Rovers : Scott, Watson, Chisholm (Brown 82), Lennon, Donnelly, Nicoll (Creaney 86), Smith, Chaplain, MacFarlane, Walker, Felvus (Thompson 61). Subs Not Used : Moffat, Ewings.

Dumbarton : Grindlay, Geggan, Dillon, Canning, Craig, Winter, Borris, Tiernan, McQuilken (Bagan 87), Boyle, McNaught (Hamilton 74).
Subs Not Used : Coyne, Smith, Shaw.

Referee: Alan Boyd

Man of the Match : Gordon Lennon

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