Stranraer0–0Dumbarton

Dumbarton recorded a fifth clean sheet on the bounce, as they played out a stalemate with relegation threatened Stranraer.

Already secured of their playoff position, Sons came up against a Blues side fighting for their lives - and with memories of a 5-0 victory against Stair Park just two months ago fresh in their memories.

But there would be no repeat, as Sons’ new-found defensive solidity saw Stevie Farrell’s men stretch their unbeaten run to six matches.

And the boss was pleased with his side’s showing, on an afternoon where he rotated his squad heavily with options from the bench.

Faz said: “We’re between a rock and a hard place. We’ve got the playoff place secure, but you want to keep the momentum going. Which we’ve managed to do in terms of keeping the unbeaten run going.

“But we’re also keen to get everyone as much game time as we can so everyone is fresh heading into the playoffs.

“We’re juggling all these things just now.

“We’re trying to structure the games. Normally you relate your subs to the game. But today we knew who we were bringing on and when. And we’ll do that again next week.

“We don’t want to make wholesale changes. But we want to make sure everyone gets appropriate gametime.

“That’s five straight clean sheets for us. And it’s a good point against a team fighting for their lives.”

Sons made two changes from the side which had defeated Clyde a week previous, as Finlay Gray and Blair Malcolm dropped out - with Michael Ruth and Kalvin Orsi returning to the starting lineup.

It was the home side who created the first chance of note, as Deryn Lang - who became an internet sensation the last time the teams met - swivelled on the edge of the box and arrowed an effort goalwards that was superbly saved by Jay Hogarth in the Sons goal.

Sons hit back, with Tony Wallace heading wide from Carlo Pignatiello’s deep cross - before Murray Miller’s pass sent Stranraer’s Matty Grant in on goal, but Jay Hogarth was out sharply, forcing the winger to blast high and wide of the target.

As the game hit the half hour mark, two good chances came and went for Dumbarton.

First, top scorer Wallace was off target with another header at the back post - before Stranraer keeper Lewis Budinauckas got down sharply to deny ex-Blue Carlo Pignatiello at close range.

Scott Agnew’s hosts then hit back, twice going close just before half-time.

Patient build up from the home side eventually saw Matty Grant’s effort deflected into the path of former Son Ben Armour, who poked beyond Hogarth but couldn’t reach the ball quickly enough to steer it into the net.

Full-back Sean McIntosh then found himself in space on the edge of the area, but curled wide - as the first-half ended goalless.

Stranraer started the second period as they had ended the first, creating another inviting chance.

This time Dean Hawkshaw’s deep cross found Armour - who has scored more goals against Dumbarton than any other club in his career - but, for once, the former Son was off target as he headed over from point-blank range.

That was to be the only early scare of the half for Sons, who settled into a rhythm - and started to create openings of their own.

Only a superb Lewis Budinauckas save denied Michael Ruth as he looked destined to give Sons the lead with a close range header, before the Rangers loanee performed more heroics to deny Kalvin Orsi.

The winger waltzed beyond four challenges and unleashed what looked like a goal of the season effort - only to be left cursing the Blues keeper.

Despite looking more likely to find a breakthrough, Sons were then grateful to the woodwork for keeping the scores level.

Cammy Williamson’s deep ball was chested down by former Dumbarton man Grant Gallagher, who beat Hogarth - but not the upright, before the ball rolled along the line and was hacked to safety.

There would be one more chance for the hosts too as the game ticked into the final minute.

Having watched fellow Rangers loanee Budinauckas in the Stranraer goal perform heroics, Sons’ Jay Hogarth managed to have the final say.

A bustling run from Tam Orr saw him burst in one-on-one with the 20-year-old, but he stayed tall to make a massive save - securing a point, and a fifth consecutive clean sheet, the most Sons have managed in a row since lifting the Third Division title 15 years ago.