Dumbarton0–0Montrose

STOP if you think you've heard this one before.

Dumbarton battled well. They defended well. They just couldn't score, or look like doing it often enough.

Actually, there is one difference. Montrose could not score past them either, and a point apiece it was at the end of a scrappy contest.

The trouble is this. It is now two goals in 10 league games for Dumbarton. They have played on their own pitch six times since returning to action and Huntly have been the only opponents to concede.

Effort is admirable and unquestionable. Defensive solidity remains a constant. But the longer the failure to find the net goes on, the more frustrating it gets. And the more awkward the late stages of the season will get.

On the day he was named in the SPFL team of the week, Sam Ramsbottom's first test was on 11 minutes, doing well to turn a Lewis Milne effort wide.

After play went to the other end, a Tomas Brindley cross was troublesome for Sean Dillon, but the Montrose defender's clearance squeezed just past his own post. The corner came to nothing.

Midway through the first half another ball into the box by Brindley caused bother, this time finding one of his team-mates. However, the ball went behind PJ Crossan and his header couldn't trouble the keeper.

Four minutes from half time, with not a lot having happened, a Liam Callaghan free kick dropped to the far post without a touch and drifted just past the upright.

Of more pressing concern to the substitute keeper-less Sons was that Ramsbottom went down and needed physio Kirsteen Murray to come on, but fortunately it was nothing to worry about.

Which was probably just as well, as nine minutes into the second half came a great save. The ball dropped to Graham Webster in the box, but Ramsbottom was down to turn his effort away.

For all the effort that was being spent by Dumbarton, there was again simply nothing happening going forward.

And there was another moment of fortune defensively with 16 minutes left when Ramsbottom dived to claw a Russell McLean effort wide.

Then some neat play going forward between Morton loan duo Rabin Omar and James Wallace almost played in Robert Jones, but the striker's angled shot was saved.

But Ramsbottom had another one for the highlights reel with three minutes left, turning Chris Antoniazzi's shot over.

It was the last word, and one which retained a point. But really, the chances to say 'maybe next time' upfront are running out.