Dumbarton2–1Clyde

YOU could have called it the first friendly of season 2022/23.

Dumbarton neither up nor down whatever the result. Clyde could shift position, but not enough to stop them playing in cinch League One again next season.

And even if it was the first friendly of the new season, the old one isn't finished yet for Sons of course.

But a win is a win is a win, and Dumbarton head to Edinburgh on Tuesday off the back of that win.

Not that it was without frustration. Kristoffer Syvertsen's opening goal could, and maybe should, have been the first of many as chances came and went.

And when Lewis Jamieson punished those missed opportunities by levelling for the visitors, it was a forgivable idea that this may be an afternoon to sum up the frustration of the season.

However, with eight minutes left, Gregg Wylde secured the win that Sons, on the whole, were decent value for.

The team that started this game is unlikely to bear much resemblance to the team that starts Tuesday's opening playoff, with rest for first-team regulars on the agenda.

Have some players played their way into contention, though? The result certainly didn't do their credentials any damage.

Syvertsen's opening goal, on 11 minutes, was the first notable action of the game. He took the ball from Sam Muir, spun away from a defender and slotted the ball away for a fine finish and start to the game.

Nine minutes later Ross MacLean found a solo route to goal after stealing possession from a defender, but was denied by the keeper at close range.

He then headed over after a succession of corners, before Syvertsen was set up by Wylde but shot over from 12 yards.

And then, with half time closing in, it started to go a bit pear-shaped, starting when Adam Hutchinson had to go off injured.

With Stuart Carswell waiting to come on in his place, Jamieson rolled home a narrow angled shot to equalise for Clyde.

The same visiting player had a great opportunity early doors in the second half, but Sam Ramsbottom made a fine save.

There wasn't much sign of Dumbarton restoring their lead until midway through the second half, when Syvertsen again went for goal, but the Clyde keeper saved again.

A low shot by Carswell also provided a test, but with eight minutes left, the gradually-increasing pressure paid off.

Joshua Oyinsan broke clear, squared to Syvertsen, he in turn squared to Wylde, and his shot found the corner despite the keeper getting a hand to it.

Only one team was going to win from there, and with the cards having stayed in his pocket all afternoon, the referee may have been looking forward to a paperwork-free ending as well.

However, he was denied that possibility by a wild challenge on Oyinsan from Kevin Nicoll. A promotion-winner with Dumbarton 10 years ago, the midfielder was walking down the tunnel slightly early this time after being sent off.

And that was really that for the scheduled cinch League One season. A season which started with a win over Clyde and ended in the same way.

All roads now lead to Edinburgh.