Dumbarton0–2Stenhousemuir

DUMBARTON picked up another loss in the race for the SFL Second Division promotion play-offs, with a 2-0 home defeat to rivals Stenhousemuir.

Two early first half goals from Brown Ferguson and Andy Rodgers, on 5 and 11 minutes respectively, gave the away team all three points.

Stenhousemuir got the game underway on a cold afternoon at the Rock, and it was they who were off to the best start.

Ex-Son Nicky Devlin went on a darting run for the Warriors, before pulling the ball back to Grant Anderson. The onrushing attacker was pushed to the ground and referee Kevin Clancy pointed straight to the spot. Brown Ferguson had no problems in smashing the penalty home.

This seemed to wake up Dumbarton. Great persistence from Tony Wallace won him the ball in the final third, only for him to be taken down by Ross McMillan, who picked up a booking for the offence. Sons kept the ball in the final third, until James Creaney's cross was gathered by Shaw in the Stenny goal.

From the resulting throw out, the Warriors broke down the left hand side of the pitch and the ball was crossed in to Andy Rodgers who headed in to the bottom corner from Grant Anderson's run and cross, making it 2-0 after only 11 minutes.

There was then a spell of end-to-end football, but both sides failed to create any real chances. Scott Agnew picked up the ball and hit an outside-of-the-foot shot that whistled just wide from 25 yards. This was Dumbarton's best chance in the spell.

There was then a strong penalty shout for Sons. Dominic Kennedy played the ball in for Craig Dargo, only for Dargo to be pulled back by the Stenhousemuir defender. The referee gave nothing and the home fans and players were furious.

Dumbarton continued to pile pressure on the visitors, forcing many corners and free kicks around the area. There was madness in the box from one corner kick, when the ball somehow stayed out after being headed back across goal by Kennedy.

However, when the referee blew for half time the score was still 2-0 to Stenhousemuir.

The second half began with nearly a calamitous moment involving Sons 'keeper Stephen Grindlay. He took slightly too long on the ball, before Andy Rodgers charged him down. The big goalie tried to touch the ball past Rodgers. The attacker intercepted, but fortunately it ran out for a goal kick.

Kevin Nicoll then picked up a booking for the home side after going in late on Anderson. Referee Clancy had to think before blowing his whistle, and producing a yellow card.

Scott Agnew kept up the pressure for Dumbarton, with a hopeful 30-yard shot that hit the roof of the net, but on the wrong side. Aggy then stepped up for a trademark free kick, which was also saved by away 'keeper Shaw.

A massive chance followed for Dumbarton. That man Agnew, again getting involved, found space before taking a touch and firing over from 18-yards out.

Gaffer Alan Adamson then introduced Pat Walker after 65 minutes, replacing Martin McNiff, with a view to going for a more attacking formation.

Ally Graham had a volley that dipped just wide, after centre-forward Bryan Prunty's shot was blocked by a defender.

Stenhousemuir rarely threatened in the second half, but had a chance to seal the points when Stuart Kean dispossessed Kennedy outside the penalty box. Thankfully he fired over.

The visitors picked up a red card in stoppage time, after Miller was shown a second yellow for persistently not sticking to his distance in a free kick.

It was a miserable afternoon for Dumbarton, and next week's visitors Airdrie United have now crept into fourth place in the division, just one point behind Sons. But third place still belongs to the Rock side, and the play-off dream remains very much alive.