Dumbarton3–1Annan Athletic

Quickfire goals from Tony Wallace and Jinky Hilton saw Dumbarton end their home campaign on a high against Annan Athletic.


The result was a first victory in G82 of 2025 for the Sons, whilst it consigned their visitors to the relegation playoffs.


Missing skipper Mark Durnan, Carlo Pignatiello, Mikey Miller and Cammy Clark with knocks, boss Stevie Farrell shuffled the pack - and teenage keeper Shay Kelly was handed his home debut.


A scrappy opening spell brought chances at both ends, with the visitors looking the more comfortable in possession - knowing they needed a win to keep their hopes of avoiding the playoffs alive.


Charlie Maxwell should’ve done better with a free header after a driving run from player/boss Willie Gibson, whilst at the other end David Wilson was denied a goal against his former side by the assistant’s flag.


Josh Dixon then should’ve done better than nod Ryan Muir’s cross wide of target for the away side, before Sons were indebted to St Mirren loanee Kelly for keeping them level - as he pulled off a moment of magic.


Tommy Muir met a Muir cross at point blank range and was ready to celebrate, only for Kelly to somehow fly across goal and claw the ball to safety.


And that proved a vital moment, as Sons took the lead soon after with their first meaningful attack of the game.


Scott Hooper picked up a booking for clattering Kristian Webster as he burst forward, with skipper-for-the-day Ryan Blair catching out Galabankies’ keeper Jamie Smith at his near post from the resulting free-kick.


It could’ve been 2-0 soon after as Finlay Gray surged beyond Muir and picked out Kalvin Orsi, but his effort was blocked on the line.


Sons continued to ramp up the pressure early in the second-half, and were handed an advantage when the visitors were reduced to 10 men.


Hooper misjudged a long ball, air-kicking it before tripping Michael Ruth - and collecting a second booking from referee Duncan Williams.


Despite their numerical disadvantage however, it was the away side who seemed to get a lift from the decision - with the introduction of towering striker Tommy Goss giving Sons’ makeshift defence something very different to think about.


Keeper Kelly superbly denied the fit-again striker from point blank range, with Josh Dixon blazing over the rebound.


That was a warning shot Sons failed to heed however, and just eight minutes after coming on Goss had his side level.


Willie Gibson’s corner from the right was perfect for the big striker, who bulleted a header beyond Kelly.


Dumbarton almost responded with a carbon copy of the leveller, but Kristian Webster’s header was well blocked by Smith in the Annan goal.


Bizarre scenes then followed as the game was suspended for 15 minutes due to a fire alarm, with fans forced onto the pitch - where an impromptu kickabout got underway.


When order was restored, Sons swapped Michael Ruth and David Wilson for Joel Mumbongo and Tony Wallace. And it proved a tactical masterstroke.


Mumbongo was immediately into the action, bullying Josh Todd before clipping the perfect ball into the path of fellow sub Wallace.


The former Annan man took his time to open up space before drilling low into the net.


Just over a minute later the points were secured.


Finlay Gray’s cross was juggled by Smith straight to Jinky Hilton, and he produced a composed finish into the same corner that Wallace had found only 90 seconds earlier.


The drama wasn’t over just yet however, as Aron Lynas was caught in possession in the area and brought down Tommy Muir. But keeper Kelly continued his flawless record facing penalties, as he saved from goalscorer Goss - his third spot kick save in a week.


And the game almost ended on a perfect note for the home side as a flowing move saw youth team debutant Zak Queen drill in a fourth - only to be denied by a late, and hotly contested, flag from the standside assistant.