Dumbarton0–2Dunfermline Ath

TWO second half goals saw Dumbarton go down 2-0 to Dunfermline this afternoon, in a game made difficult for both teams by the wind.

Both teams were fast out of the starting blocks, with Sons having more of the early chances and Dunfermline establishing midfield dominance as the half progressed.

Robert Thomson, Sam Stanton and Lewis Vaughan each had a couple of goes for Sons, but could not find the target.

At the other end, Alan Martin was properly called into action for the first time on 23 minutes, as he tipped over a header from the Pars' Callum Morris.

The key moment of the half for Dumbarton came on 33 minutes, when Dumbarton captain Darren Barr nodded the ball down into Gregor Buchanan's path, but he hit it straight at the keeper from close range.

Then a short while afterwards a dipping volley from Dunfermline danger man Rhys McCabe flew just past the post.

After the break Sons had another chance to take the lead. Andy Stirling got on the end of a low cross from David Smith directed it agonisingly wide.

At the other end, Dunfermline thought they had taken the lead, but Paul McMullan had actually misfired into the side netting.

Then on 79 minutes Dumbarton failed to clear their lines and Rhys McCabe punished them with a low, long drive into the bottom corner.

The killer blow from Pars came from a fine move finished off by David Hopkirk from close range on 84 minutes for 2-0.

The Sonstrust Man of the Match was goalie Alan Martin, who put in another impressive display, in spite of the goals.

The loss puts Sons under pressure for the last three games of the Championship season, starting with a trip to face Queen of the South in Dumfries next Saturday.

Sons now sit in ninth place in the Ladbrokes SPFL Championship, just behind a revived St Mirren on goal difference, and three points clear of Ayr United, who prop up the table.