More heartbreak for the Sons

First published as Sons lose out to last-gasp Stenny goal and the match report on the Dumbarton FC website.

Dumbarton press again

In a crunch game against fellow drop-zone rivals Stenhousemuir, Dumbarton looked to have taken at least a point from a hard fought encounter, but the visitors pinched the game 1-0 with virtually the final kick of the match.

The initial pressure came from the visitors. Eventual Man of the Match Stephen Grindlay pulled off a fine save within the first few minutes, before Sons regrouped and began to push back.

In conditions that made it difficult for both sides, a number of chances went begging at each end. Grindlay was called into action again on several occasions, as he laboured behind an anxious-looking defence.

However, on 22 minutes Derek Carcary floated a crafty ball in on the Stenhousemuir goal from outside the area and was within inches of the target while 'keeper Chris McCluskey looked on.

As the second half got underway Dumbarton went on working hard and running determinedly at their opponents. But with ex-Sons man Stevie Murray drilling the crosses in, Stenhousemuir continued to look threatening when they countered fast upfield.

In a see-saw 45 minutes of football it seemed as if only a crucial error or a flash of inspiration was going to break the deadlock.

With minutes to go Mark Gilhaney almost produced the goods for Dumbarton with a fast, flashing drive from the edge of the area that produced an instinctive off-kilter stop from a flying McCluskey.

But after another desperate scramble in their area, Stenhousemuir broke away again and Scott Dalziel shattered Sons hearts with a goal that stole the game in the 90th minute. Moments later the referee's whistle ended another disappointing afternoon at SHS.
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