Dumbarton1–0Motherwell

EVEN behind closed doors, there is no such thing as a bad victory.

Dumbarton won't pretend they're the finished article ahead of the new season. And Stevie Farrell won't pretend that squad assembly is complete.

But they came away from this closed door friendly having put the ball in the net more times than Premiership Motherwell could. What's not to love?

With the game looking like ending in a goalless stalemate, David Hopkirk put away its only goal with two minutes left.

The main thing was getting minutes in the tank, and that was achieved. But another box was ticked and victory can only be a positive.

Most of the early running was made by the visitors, with Tony Watt dragging an early chance wide.

But Dumbarton made some headway as the double figure minutes approached, with a couple of decent crosses just missing the final touch to test the keeper.

Midway through the first half a Joe McKee corner had Gregor Buchanan heading towards goal, but his effort was blocked and Kalvin Orsi was penalised for a foul in his efforts to follow up.

With four minutes left of the half McKee then tried for goal himself from a free kick after a foul on Orsi, but his shot crashed off the bar and Motherwell scrambled it clear.

Early in the second half, another chance from a McKee assist, but Ryan McGeever saw his header from a corner turned wide by Motherwell's newly-introduced keeper.

He was one of 11 changes made by the Steelmen at half time as they gave numerous players the opportunity to prove themselves worth a shot at this season's Premiership.

With just over 15 minutes left, and several substitutions made by Sons, Sam Ramsbottom was forced into a fine close range save as a trialist striker ran in on goal for Motherwell.

A trialist frontman for Dumbarton then had a late opportunity after latching on to Buchanan's through ball, but couldn't get his shot away before the keeper rushed out.

But shortly afterwards, with the game entering its closing stages, Conner Duthie took off down the left and sent over a cross which Hopkirk arrived to finish at the back post.