Dumbarton 1 v 0 Albion Rovers

Click here for pics of this match courtesy of Paul Reilly!

Attendance : 692

Scorers ~ Dumbarton : Boyle (68).

Albion Rovers rollercoaster season continued in Dumbarton as they went down by a single goal to nil dashing hopes of occupying a play-off place for a week or two at least. Bobby Barr became the first Rovers player of the season to be on the receiving end of a red card.

Early-on Brendan Crozier tried a low shot but it was easily mopped up by Mark McGeown in the Dumbarton goal. Another move saw Marc Pollock release Barr whose low cross from the nearside was hit to the 'keeper by Steven McKeown.

Andy Geggan found himself one on one with Jamie Ewings who advanced to deny the defender who was to be a thorn in Rovers side several more times this afternoon. A Dumbarton corner fell to Michael Dunlop in Rovers box but he was leaning back as he launched the ball over the crossbar.

Another corner found the head of the jumping Ben Gordon in front of goal who directed the ball off-target. McGeown was off balance when Ciaran Donnelly had an attempt but still managed to catch it.

Irishman Denis McLaughlin on loan from Hearts failed to beat Ewings with a long range attempt. A prolonged period when it was just the last ball failing Rovers saw a McKeown back heeler have McGeown scrambling back to save.

With time running down Geggan hit the ball past the post after he received a cross straight across goal unhindered by Rovers defence. A Pollock effort from the side of goal missing the target ended the half.

Half-Time

McLaughlin only had Ewings to beat, he lifted the ball but the 'keeper managed to touch the ball over his crossbar. Ian Harty received the ball 25 yards from the Dumbarton goal and elected to shoot only for the 'keeper to catch it.

Crozier was the supplier of a ball to Harty in the Sons box, the resulting shot was however touched to safety by McGeown. A Geggan attempt brought out a quality diving stop from Ewings.

In 68 minutes Rovers went behind when that man Geggan put a Ross Forbes free-kick across Rovers goal for the well placed Pat Boyle to tap home from close range.

At the other end Rovers were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out, Donnelly put it a couple of feet over the "postage stamp". When play switched ends Ewings had another decent stop, diving to thwart Forbes.

Barr picked up a booking for a foul which was to become critical shortly afterwards. Substitute Marco Andreoni hit a short corner to Harty whose cross was headed over the bar by another replacement, Mark Archdeacon.

Seconds after being denied an apparent free-kick Barr was shown his second yellow and inevitable red card for sharing his views on the incident with Mr. McKendrick.

Forbes tried his luck from 25 yards and it didn't miss by much. Derek Carcary set off on a run down the far wing but the eventual shot hit the side netting.

The last notable action of the match came from McLaughlin who spanked the ball goalward from 25 yards missing by a small margin.

Summary

A hugely disappointing result for Rovers who would have been in a play-off place had they triumphed. Dumbarton isn't Rovers favourite venue with their last win there being almost eight years to the day. Cliftonhill faithful don't have long to wait for the next in a long line of six pointer matches as East Stirlingshire visit on Tuesday. That shall be made more difficult by the absence of Barr serving his suspension.

Dumbarton : McGeown, Geggan, Lennon, Gordon, Boyle, Carcary, Dunlop, Clark (Chisholm 79), Murray, Denis McLaughlin, Forbes. Subs Not Used : Brannan, McAnespie, O'Byrne, Calder.

Albion Rovers : Ewings, Reid, McKeown, Donnelly, Fleming, Crozier (Archdeacon 77), McGowan, Walker, Barr, Harty, Pollock (Andreoni 77). Subs Not Used : Adam, Ferry, David Scott.

Referee : J McKendrick

Man of the Match : Jamie Ewings

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