Dumbarton FC let 2-0 lead slip against Forfar

Oct 3 2008 by Andy Galloway, Lennox Herald (main ed)

IF DUMBARTON had seen out three games as they should have done this season, they'd only be two points behind leaders Stenhousemuir.

Instead, Saturday's draw at Station Park, having been 2-0 up, means that they are now seven points off the pace.

A Stephen Tulloch own goal opened the scoring before Paul McLeod doubled the lead early in the second half.

But the Loons rallied and salvaged a point through goals by Johnny Russell and Graham Gibson.

Sons played well and would have been worthy winners, but the game was another case of failing to hang on for victory.

Between this match and last month's encounters with Stenny and East Stirling, they have dropped five points from good positions.

It is, of course, still early in the campaign, but there's no telling what impact these results will have in the end. The draws must be turned into victories now.

Forfar could have taken the lead in the first minute but keeper Dave McEwan saved well from Johnny Russell.

It didn't take long for Sons to find their stride, with Derek Carcary unlucky to see a shot blocked at a narrow angle.

But on seven minutes, Paul Keegan's header across goal resulted in the deadlock being broken. Elliot Smith's attempted clearance hit Tulloch and ricocheted into the net.

For most of the rest of the first half, Sons were much the better side. McLeod had a couple of opportunities, one of which was somehow turned on to the bar by keeper Ally Brown.

Ross Clark was also unlucky with a 20-yard free kick which the inspired keeper turned wide of the post.

Russell was again close on the stroke of half time when he ran in on goal but again McEwan saved.

However, an accidental collision in that incident meant that the keeper had to go off injured at the interval to be replaced by Mark McGeown.

Brown again saved from McLeod at the start of the second half and then kept out a header by Ben Gordon.

But while he also saved Keegan's header from the resulting corner, he could do nothing to stop McLeod converting the rebound on 52 minutes.

It looked good for another three points, but just five minutes later, Forfar got back into it when Russell fired home after Sons’ defence made a mess of dealing with a corner.

Sons' defence held firm until the final 10 minutes, when veteran striker Derek Lilley forced Gordon and Michael O'Byrne into saving tackles.

And the resistance finally crumbled with two minutes left when Gibson was unmarked to head home a cross from the right.

It was a cruel way to lose two points, and the home keeper was in great form, but Sons have no time to feel sorry for themselves.

They need an immediate return to the winning form they had shown in the previous two weeks to stay in touch with the leaders.

Dumbarton: McEwan (McGeown 46); Lennon, Wilson, O'Byrne, Gordon, Clark, Carcary, Geggan, McLeod, Keegan (Canning 86), Murray. Subs (not used): Cusack, Gray, Moore.

Referee: Frank McDermott

Crowd: 431

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