Dumbarton salvage a point at Stenhousemuir

Nov 14 2008 by Andy Galloway, Lennox Herald (main ed)

DUMBARTON couldn't take top spot from Stenhousemuir on Saturday – but kept themselves in with a chance of doing so with a draw.

Stevie Murray rescued a point eight minutes from full time after Andy Brand put the leaders ahead just after the hour mark.

Both sides also had a man sent off inside the first 13 minutes, with the home side's Kevin Motion and Sons' Gary Wilson dismissed in separate incidents.

A point would have been accepted before the game but Dumbarton failed to match their recent high standard of performances.

They struggled to create any chances for long spells, and the writing seemed to be on the wall before Murray's late equaliser.

However, victory over East Stirling back at Ochilview on Saturday, along with Stenny dropping points at Cowdenbeath, will put Sons top of the table.

The first half was mainly all about the two red cards, but in truth it was difficult to disagree with either of them.

With only five minutes gone, Motion lunged in on Andy Geggan with his studs showing. Referee Anthony Law, who had already booked Stenny's Willie Lyle, didn't hesitate to show the red card.

But Sons' extra man advantage lasted just eight minutes, as Wilson also headed for an early bath after diving studs-first into a challenge.

Neither side created much in front of goal, with Scott Dalziel going closest for Stenny, while Gordon Lennon volleyed over for Sons.

Right on half time Brand should have opened the scoring for the Warriors but headed wide of a gaping goal.

The home side also had the initiative at the start of the second half, with John Ovenstone and Robert Love both missing the target.

But Brand broke the deadlock on 61 minutes after a cross was not well defended and the midfielder blasted home Andy Shirra's cutback.

Michael O'Byrne and Iain Chisholm were off target with headers as Sons fought back, while Dalziel ran in on goal for Stenny but shot wide.

Time was running out, but just when Dumbarton looked set to drop another three points to the Warriors, as they did in August, the equaliser came.

Michael Moore headed a long ball on to Murray on the edge of the area, and the winger did the rest to send the large travelling support wild.

This time there was no injury time winner for either side, although Sons were closest to getting one out of nothing.

Liam Cusack's cross from the left bent towards goal, but keeper Scott Bennett saw the danger just in time and turned it over the bar.

Dumbarton: McGeown; Lennon, Wilson, O'Byrne, Gordon, Clark, Carcary (Moore 69), Geggan, McLeod (Cusack 85), Keegan (Chisholm 59), Murray. Subs: Canning, McEwan.

Sent off: Wilson (13, serious foul play).

Referee: Anthony Law

Crowd: 723

Rock Star points: 3pts Geggan, 2pts Gordon, 1pt Murray