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Albion Rovers 0 v 1 Dumbarton |  |
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Albion Rovers 0 v 1 Dumbarton | |
| Irn-Bru League 3rd Division 1st March 2008 |
Attendance : 329
Scorers ~ Dumbarton : Canning (74).
Jim Chapman's return to Cliftonhill as Dumbarton gaffer saw his side move off the bottom of the league, the second team to do so within four days by beating Albion Rovers by a single goal. Rovers are of course severely depleted by injury although Jamie McKenzie warmed up before the match and looks close to returning to the fray.
With just a couple of minutes on the clock former Cliftonhill favourite Gordon Lennon pulled off a miraculous tackle in the Sons penalty area, dispossessing Pat Walker who ended up on the grass without claiming a penalty.
Mark Canning fired the ball into driving rain over the head of 'keeper David Scott who fumbled at first but regained control of the slippery sphere. A huge period of nothing of note occurring was broken when a Andy Geggan cross cum shot was cut out by Scott after suicidal attacking by Barry Donald and Alan Benton turned play against Rovers.
Scott punching a high ball clear preceded Richard Buckley crossing for John Gemmell to rise and regrettably for the former Dumbarton striker head wide of the target.
Half-Time
In 53 minutes Rovers were awarded a penalty when Canning oddly fouled Michael McGowan when there seemed no necessity to do so in a packed box. Ciaran Donnelly was the man to take the spot kick and he placed it at the 'keepers left-hand post. Possibly tipped off by Messrs Chapman and Lennon which way the ball would go 'keeper David Crawford guessed correctly and saved the shot. Gemmell had a follow up opportunity but was leaning back towards goal and the ball was lofted over the Sons crossbar.
Gemmell then Canning had failed attempts before Michael Moore shot at goal, Scott held onto the ball after saving which foiled the striker waiting to take advantage should he spill it.
The goal came in the74th minute when Canning scored with what must go down as an attempted cross which defeated Scott aided by the wind.
Gemmell failed in an attempted overhead kick and with nine minutes remaining what looked like Lennon controlling the ball with his arm in his own penalty area went unpunished as Mr. Charleston indicated it was his chest.
Summary
Another disappointing match which Rovers should certainly would at least drawn had they just managed to convert the penalty. This could well have been the last vaguely realistic opportunity to launch a campaign for play-offs in May.
Albion Rovers : Scott, Buckley, McGowan, Donnelly, Benton, Donald (Watson 32), Pat Walker, Hughes, Gemmell, Ferry (Reid 65), Chisholm. Subs Not Used : Ally Martin, McDougall, Mitchell.
Dumbarton : Crawford, Potter, Brittain, Lennon, O'Byrne, Canning, Geggan, Tiernan, Moore (McNaught 85), Orrstrom (McPhee 60), Stokes (Russell 72). Subs Not Used : Evans, Nugent.
Referee: Craig Charleston