Montrose1–2Dumbarton

Finlay Gray’s first career double saw Dumbarton bounce back from two bruising defeats with victory at Montrose.


The midfielder netted in either half to make it a merry Christmas for the Sons faithful who braved horrendous conditions in Angus to watch their heavily changed side record a first win in the league since November.


And manager Stevie Farrell was delighted with what he saw from his charges, saying: “I spent last weekend looking at everything. We have the best stats in the league going forward, we’re miles above every other team in terms of shots at goal and touches in the opposition box.


“But our stats defensively aren’t good enough. And we needed a defensive display that was really resolute and that’s why we changed our shape.


“Our transitions were superb and we’re unlucky not to have scored more. I was really happy with us and I think we deserved the win.


“That’s 13 points for the quarter, if we got our 15 points back we’d be four points off sixth. We’re not a bad side and we’ve proved that again, away from home against a very good side where we’ve got a deserved victory.”


Boss Farrell rang the changes after a 5-1 home defeat to Annan a week earlier with the fit-again Carlo Pignatiello and suspension-free Mark Durnan returning to the side.


They were joined by David Wilson and Ryan Blair, with the injured Mikey Miller, Craig McGuffie, Tony Wallace and Joel Mumbongo all dropping out.


That meant a radical change in shape for the Sons, as Orsi started a match up front for the first time in three years whilst Finlay Gray and David Wilson sat either side in a 3-4-3 formation.


Playing into a strong headwind, Sons found themselves under pressure early with Paddy O’Neil reacting sharply to tip over a Blair Lyons overhead kick after a corner hadn’t been fully cleared.


That was as good as it got for the opening 20 minutes until Lyons came close again. Graeme Webster’s cross was helped by the wind and found the forward at the far post, but he awkwardly skewed wide from 10 yards.


Having defended stoutly Sons then made their first opening of note count.


Ryan Blair’s cute chipped pass sent Finlay Gray in behind a static Montrose defence, and the midfielder lashed beyond Cammy Gill from an acute angle.


The Mo looked to hit back as Keir Bertie dug out a cross for Ben MacIver-Redwood but he was caught out by the wind and nodded straight at O’Neil.


With the wind intensifying the match was proving one of very few openings. As the game neared half-time Michael Garydne’s deep free-kick flashed by the far post, before a sharp counter attack from Sons saw stand-in striker Kalvin Orsi loop an effort from the edge of the box wide.


In the second period, and now with the wind at their backs, Sons came close early in the second-half as Ryan Blair's vicious inswinging corner was pushed away by Gill - before ex-Gable Endie Sena Niang flashed over from the edge of the box.


As the game reached the hour mark Sons passed up a golden chance to double their lead.


Superb play from Kalvin Orsi saw him hold off a defender before sending David Wilson free with a terrific long pass, but the midfielder’s powerful drive was off target.


With 15 minutes remaining Sons boss Farrell made his first switch with Tony Wallace called upon to replace Wilson, and the move had an instant impact.


Strong play down the right saw Wallace send Carlo Pignatiello clear. The full-back burst down the wing and found sub Wallace, who unselfishly squared for fellow local lad Finlay Gray - and he took a touch before prodding beyond Gill to spark wild celebrations in the away end.


Keeping clean sheets has been Sons’ Achilles heel this campaign however, and just as fans had started to breathe a little easier the Mo cut the deficit.


Paddy O’Neil spilled substitute Paul Watson's daisycutter with Blair McKenzie tapping in the rebound.


However the home side, who had found chances hard to come by all game, couldn’t force a late leveller - and ended the game with 10 men deep into injury time.


Aidan Quinn - already on a booking for a cynical foul on Gray - took a heavy touch which was pounced on by the former Broomhill midfielder, who was clumsily clattered - leaving referee Steven Kirkland to ensure that a bad day at the office for the hosts ended on a miserable note.