Dumbarton0–2St Mirren

THE result certainly wasn't the one they wanted.

But just occasionally, most of what you can take from defeat is positive stuff.

Dumbarton, against league leaders St Mirren, did little wrong. They more than held their own against a side who showed why they are top of the league.

Unfortunately Sons did fail where the Buddies, specifically Gavin Reilly and John Sutton, succeeded. Not only did those two visiting players score - they did so during spells when their team was on top.

Chances were created by Dumbarton, but in this sort of encounter they have to hit the net.

It was surely all that stood between Sons and at least a draw against their high-flying visitors. It simply wasn't to be.

Dumbarton, though, need to bounce back after consecutive league defeats. The league table does make positive reading at the quarter mark, but the hard work goes on and needs to bring results by whatever means.

It was clear from the early stages that this game was not going to end goalless, as it made an all-action start.

After Andy Dowie cleared off the line from Ross Stewart, play raced upfield, with Christian Nade just unable to reach Mark Stewart's flicked header from Tom Walsh's cross.

Soon after, the two goalkeepers were tested. Scott Gallacher deflected Stephen McGinn's effort behind while Dimitris Froxylias was kept out from a shot from the corner of the area.

And this was all within the first 11 minutes.

After Froxylias was narrowly wide with another shot, the pace dropped, but just after the half hour mark, Gallacher was again on form to keep Reilly out at close range.

But there was nothing he could do to stop the same player eight minutes from half time, as the striker headed home Adam Eckersley's cross from the left.

Sons almost responded within minutes when Walsh played Nade in, but his shot from the edge of the area was wayward.

The early second half was arguably where everything pointed to this not being Dumbarton's day. Walsh blasted over from a narrow angle before Stewart twice went close. Craig Barr also just missed Froxylias' free kick at full stretch.

St Mirren got things together again and Lewis Morgan forced Gallacher into another fine save, but things were done and dusted 20 minutes from full time.

Sutton was in to meet Ian McShane's corner with a ferocious header which found the net.

Apart from a Froxylias shot which went straight at the keeper in the dying minutes, that was it. St Mirren were content to take their winning margin and denied Sons much opportunity to dent it.

It was a day when Dumbarton deserved more for their hard work and enterprising play. But it is now on to Cappielow to face Morton needing that to be repeated - with an end product.