Rock solid Gordon really raises the roof at Dumbarton

Sep 26 2008 by Andy Galloway, Lennox Herald (main ed)

SATURDAY was Raise the Rock Day at Dumbarton – and at nearly 5pm the event lived up to its name.

Ben Gordon headed Dumbarton's winning goal after FIVE minutes of injury time to send most of the 801 crowd wild.

Sons were on course for a win through Derek Carcary's spectacular opening goal nine minutes from half time.

But Paul McQuade's equaliser after two added minutes looked to have secured a point for Cowden – until Gordon's heroics.

His header from David Gray's flighted free kick was the last meaningful touch of a thrilling match.

By manager Jim Chapman's own admission, Sons did not play well in the second half, but still deserve great credit for digging in and salvaging the win.

They had already lost a vital last-minute goal to Stenhousemuir last month and clearly didn't want to face that feeling again.

The game got off to an exciting start, with Cowden first to threaten as McQuade sent a good chance over the bar.

Michael O'Byrne then headed against a post for the home side before ex-Sons striker John Gemmell took centre stage for the visitors.

He had two headed chances, the first one going wide before Dave McEwan saved the second well from six yards.

The opening goal arrived on 36 minutes and it was another spectacular one, albeit different to Ross Clark's screamer against Albion Rovers.

Carcary picked up the ball wide on the right, beat two defenders, cut into the area and bent the ball into the net.

The second half also opened frantically, with O'Byrne heading clear from Jay Stein before Andy Geggan went close for Sons.

Gemmell again was off-target with a header and Keegan just failed to connect fully with Stevie Murray's dangerous low ball.

With two minutes of normal time left, Gemmell had yet another opportunity but McEwan again got behind his header.

But the keeper could do nothing about the equaliser, which arrived two minutes into injury time.

The referee, who was fussy, card-happy and inconsistent throughout, awarded a dubious free kick in the centre circle.

The long ball found McQuade, who flattened the spirits of the home support by slotting home from 12 yards.

The Sons fans must have thought they would have to settle for a point – but the players didn't.

And one last attack made the unthinkable happen. Gray sent over a superb ball from a free kick on the left and Gordon rose highest to head beyond the keeper.

Having been hit for six just a few minutes earlier, the home end of the stadium exploded in a mixture of joy and relief.

This was an ending fit to Raise the Rock.

Dumbarton: McEwan; Lennon, Wilson, O'Byrne, Gordon, Clark, Carcary (Gray 51), Geggan, McLeod (Canning 66), Keegan (Moore 82), Murray. Subs: Cusack, McGeown.

Booked: O'Byrne (32, persistent fouling), Canning (79, unsporting behaviour), Wilson (81, time wasting), Murray (86, foul), Moore (90, foul).

Referee: Stevie O'Reilly

Crowd: 801

Rock Star points: 3pts Gordon, 2pts Wilson, 1pt Carcary