Dumbarton2–3Montrose

Dumbarton’s wait for a first win of 2025 stretched into its eighth week after Montrose took all three points in a Rock thriller.


Penalties from the Mo’s Owen Stirton and Sons’ Michael Ruth followed by a second for Stirton and Carlo Pignatiello effort for Dumbarton had the sides level at half-time, with the second-half proving a far less frantic watch - and Aidan Quinn netting the winner for the visitors.


Boss Stevie Farrell made two changes to the side which had lost to Annan a week previous as Finlay Gray and Ryan Blair dropped to the bench, with Mikey Miller and the fit-again Michael Ruth earning recalls.


And the early signs were promising as Sons took the game to their opponents from the first whistle.


Neat play from Craig McGuffie found Ruth in the area, but he couldn’t open up space for a shot on his first start since early December.


McGuffie then set off down the right, breezing beyond a couple of challenges before stabbing an effort goalwards that was clawed away by Cammy Gill in the home goal - with Ruth agonisingly close to touching in the rebound.


Having lost keeper Paddy O’Neil to a broken finger during the week, Sons’ injury woes continued as Jinky Hilton was forced off inside the opening 10 minutes, and his place was taken by Gray.


And the feeling that when you’re down, you’re down, continued as the Mo raced into the lead with their first foray into Sons’ box.


Kieran Freeman beat Kalvin Orsi to a loose ball and was caught in the head by the winger’s boot, giving referee Daniel Graves no option but to point to the spot.


Dundee United loanee Owen Stirton got enough on the resulting penalty to drill it underneath Sons’ teenage keeper Milosz Sliwinski, despite the Queen’s Park loan man going the right way.


Sons’ response was almost instant. Strong play from Michael Ruth saw a pass intended for Kalvin Orsi break down, but Finlay Gray was alert to the danger to sprint in and catch Terry Masson napping - as he clumsily downed the midfielder with Graves pointing to the spot for a second time.


With Hilton off and regular spot-kick taker Tony Wallace on the bench, Ruth grabbed the ball and sent Gill the wrong way from 12 yards to celebrate his seventh of the season.


This time however it was Montrose who found a quick reply. Terry Masson blazed over a warning shot from a good position inside the area, before Stirton grabbed his second of the game.


A superb Craig Wighton pass split Sons’ defence sending Callum Sandilands free, and he unselfishly squared for Stirton to blast into the net.


Craig McGuffie flashed wide as Sons almost found another quickfire leveller, but they would be forced to wait until 10 minutes before half-time to restore parity - albeit with a goal that was worth the wait.


Tenacious play from McGuffie won back possession in the middle of the park and he charged to the edge of the area before finding Finlay Gray - and Sons’ sub tee’d up Carlo Pignatiello to cut inside and roll into the bottom corner of the net.


Dumbarton then should’ve ended a breathless first 45 on top.


A sharp break led by ex-Mo man Sena Niang from the away side’s corner saw him burst to the end of the area and slide Kalvin Orsi clear, but the winger curled inches wide of the far post with Gill at full stretch.


After a breathless first-half, the second period saw chances at a premium - albeit both keepers were tested early on, with Sons’ livewire McGuffie firing straight at Gill and Blair Lyons repeating the trick at the other end.


Slack play at the back then gifted Stirton the chance for a hat-trick, but he bent an effort narrowly wide from a tight angle.


However Sons would be made to pay for more lax defending again with 22 minutes remaining.


Kristian Webster clattered Lyons on the touchline, with the resulting free-kick from Michael Gardyne perfect for Aidan Quinn to power - unchallenged - into the net.


Incredibly Dumbarton almost found an instant response once again as a high ball caused chaos at the back for the Mo and saw defender Sean Dillon clatter his own goalkeeper with Tony Wallace lurking - but referee Graves stopped play to let the visiting keeper receive treatment to his ankle, to the fury of the home support.


Finlay Gray then burst in and had a close range effort deflected wide for a corner, but that was as close as Dumbarton would come until stoppage time as Stewart Petrie’s side packed their box with numbers.


Substitute Aron Lynas hurled a high ball forward with seconds remaining that was plucked out of the air superbly by substitute Wallace, and the veteran opened up space but arrowed straight at Gill as Sons were again left frustrated.