Dumbarton find it tough to make their point

Aug 8 2008 by Andy Galloway, Lennox Herald (main ed)

IT SEEMS easy to highlight the referee’s performance after a disappointing result like Dumbarton’s draw with Montrose on Saturday.

But anybody who witnessed Steven Nicholls’ display would be in no doubt as to why he, and not the football, was the main subject of discussion.

Ross Clark equalised from the spot for Sons to cancel out Paul Stewart’s first half opener for the visitors in a hot-tempered and badly-handled encounter.

Ref Nicholls lost control of the game after just six minutes – failing to send off Montrose’s Stephen Thomson.

With Andy Geggan pursuing a pass up the right wing, the full back ignored the ball and barged him on to the trackside. Somehow he escaped with just a caution.

It was just one of several dreadful decisions by the ref – but Sons had troubles of their own to contend with.

Stewart’s goal was a result of poor marking at a corner and visiting keeper Mark Peat went too long without being seriously tested.

The first 45 minutes were disappointing, with referee Nicholls most often the centre of attention.

After Thomson’s outrageous challenge on Geggan, Derek Carcary sent an overhead kick just wide before Hugh Davidson was off target for Montrose.

The opener came on 28 minutes – and testament to the game itself, it wasn’t without controversy. The visitors won a corner despite what looked a foul on Craig Brittain in the build-up.

Poor defending at the set piece gave Stewart the space to blast in from six yards.

Then came more contention when Mark Canning was forced off injured by a high challenge from Chris Hegarty. The Montrose midfielder had been booked after just 40 seconds but somehow escaped a second yellow card.

And it didn’t end there . Paul Keegan was clearly shoved in the back as a corner came into the area – but again the ref ignored the appeals.

The second half saw Sons move up a gear and the chances were soon coming. Carcary and Keegan both forced saves out of Peat before sub Alan Gourlay shot wide.

Keegan was again denied by Peat, but keeper David McEwan was then forced into a good save from Stein’s shot.

Carcary’s effort from a narrow angle was turned over by the keeper, but finally there was some luck with seven minutes left.

Keegan was again pushed in the area and this time Nicholls spotted the offence and awarded the penalty. He also sent Stein off for two bookings for dissent in quick succession.

Amid great tension, Clark stepped up to take the spot kick and scored.

It was a relief to take a point in the end, but there is still some work to be done for the season ahead.

Dumbarton: McEwan; Geggan, Brittain (Chisholm 82), Lennon, Gordon, Canning (Logan 38), Gray (Gourlay 64), Clark, Keegan, Carcary, Murray. Subs: Tiernan, McGeown.

Booked: Clark (57, foul), Brittain (62, persistent fouling).

Referee: Steven Nicholls

Crowd: 602

Rock Star points: 3pts Lennon, 2pts Keegan, 1pt Carcary

EYES ON THE BALL: Stevie Murray in action on the wing.

GETTING CLOSE: But Paul Keegan couldn’t get the better of visiting keeper Mark Peat.

IT TAKES TWO: Derek Carcary evades the attentions of two defenders.