Dumbarton0–0QOS

Dumbarton’s relegation back to League Two was confirmed, after a stalemate with Queen of the South.

 

In a campaign dominated by matters off the field, the Sons and Doonhamers played out a scrappy 90 minutes on the park - but the hosts did manage to secure just a second clean sheet of the league season.

 

And boss Stevie Farrell felt a draw was a fair result, in a match where the sides could muster just a solitary shot on target each.

 

He said: “I thought we were good in the game, I thought defensively we were good and our structure was good.

 

“This is a surreal situation, but it’s not a real relegation. If we hadn’t gone into administration, Annan aside when we lost 5-1, we’ve been in every game we’ve played.

 

“Between November and now we’d have been in a very different situation without the relegation. But they are certainly playing well and competing with League One teams.

 

“It’s not been a good season, but you’ve got to look beyond that to the players and their application. I think we’ve shown we can compete in League One and if it wasn’t for the administration we’d have more points than we have.

 

“I take my hat off to them because a draw was the least they deserved.”

 

Farrell continued his policy of rotating Sons’ squad, with Greig Young, Kalvin Orsi, Ryan Blair, Craig McGuffie and Tony Wallace returning to the side. Aron Lynas, Finlay Gray, Carlo Pignatiello, Jinky Hilton and Mikey Miller moved to the bench.

 

After a week of dry weather followed by an early morning downpour, the pitch at the Marbill Coaches Stadium was again looking worse for wear - and neither side looked to be relishing the challenges it was presenting.

 

It took until the 15 minute mark for the first half-chance of note to arrive, as a ball found Greig Young on the edge of the box - but it didn’t sit quite right, and the left-back’s volley bounced wide of target.

 

With every attack breaking down on the rutted park, it wasn’t until the half hour when the first shot on target arrived - as local lad Adam Brooks tested Milosz Sliwinski from the edge of the box, but the teenage stopper comfortably held the former Knoxland Primary pupil’s effort.

 

Then came a moment of controversy. Tony Wallace was barged in the back as he got on the end of a deep Kalvin Orsi cross, but referee Colin Whyte - who had angered both sets of players with the award of soft fouls throughout the half - waved away penalty appeals.

 

Wallace dusted himself down and salvaged an opportunity, but it was deflected wide for a corner.

 

After a first-half where opportunities were at a premium, Queens started the second period at pace - and passed up three great chances early on.

 

First Jordan Allan raced onto a long ball and prodded beyond the onrushing Sliwinski, but the ball rolled wide of the post.

 

Oscar MacIntyre then had the home end holding its breath as he looped a volley wide, before Adam Brooks was also off target from close range with the goal at his mercy.

 

Sons responded, and a cute Craig McGuffie pass sent Kalvin Orsi clear, but his effort was pushed away by Doonhamers’ keeper Ross Stewart with Michael Ruth lurking.

 

Greig Young then saw a wicked cross that looked destined for former Queens man Ruth superbly cleared by Jack Hannah.

 

But that was about as close as they came all game, with every move breaking down as a result of the pitch, one touch too many or the whistle of referee Whyte.

 

With five minutes remaining boss Stevie Farrell handed U20s man Aedan Gilfedder his debut, and the teenager was involved straight away - as he raced clear before being crudely upended by Oscar MacIntyre who picked up a late booking.

 

After a last kick defeat to Inverness in their last home outing, there was almost one last bitter twist for Sons as Queens hurled a late ball into the area, but Benji Luissint couldn’t direct the ball goalwards as the game ended with the scoreline it probably deserved.