Hamilton Accies0–1Dumbarton

Ally Roy was the matchwinner as Dumbarton recorded two wins in a Premier Sports Cup group stage for the first time.


The returning forward netted on the stroke of half-time to give Stevie Farrell’s men victory against Hamilton, adding to the woes facing Accies off the park.


And boss Stevie Farrell felt his side were good value for their win against the full-time Lanarkshire outfit.


He said: “I thought it was a good performance and I’ve been pleased with our performances in the cup. In four very difficult games.


“I know Hamilton have their problems, we can empathise with that more than most other clubs, but they still have a lot of really good players who are capable of playing in the Championship.


“Our shape and structure were good and I thought we deserved to edge it. To finish third in a group that isn’t designed for League Two clubs to finish third in is very positive.


“It’s been a solid League Cup campaign.”


Boss Farrell rotated his squad from the side that had faced Hearts four days previous, with Ollie Ecrepont, Aron Lynas, Cammy Clark, Carrick McEvoy and Tony Wallace all returning - whilst Dom Docherty was handed his first start of the campaign.


The first-half was a slow burner, with chances at a premium - and Accies enjoying most of the possession, whilst Sons looked the more dangerous.


A quick short corner routine found Carrick McEvoy in space, but the St Mirren loanee found no takers for his delivery - and neither did Cammy Clark when he returned the ball into the box.


Tony Wallace then sent Scott Tomlinson racing clear, but again his delivery couldn’t be sent goalwards by anyone in gold and black.


Tenacious play from Leighton McIntosh then created the first big chance of note.


The forward won back possession and sent the ball wide to Tomlinson, who swung in another inviting delivery which was met by the former Airdrie man - but his header was gratefully held by the diving Dean Lyness.


Accies quickly went on the attack themselves, but Ollie Ecrepont was equal to Liam Morgan’s low drive.


After a brave Aron Lynas block denied Connor Smith, Ecrepont was called into action again - this time staying big to block Oli Shaw’s effort from a narrow angle. At the other end a brilliant touch and turn from Tomlinson almost played in Gordon Walker, but Lyness was alert to the danger.


That would be as close as either side came until the stroke of half-time, when Sons edged themselves in front.


Accies’ trialist centre-back, perhaps somewhat fortunate to still be on the park after a scuffle with Tony Wallace six minutes earlier, got a header back to his keeper all wrong - with Roy nipping in and calmly lifting the ball over the advancing Lyness into the net.


And Sons almost doubled their advantage immediately when the second-half got underway. 


Dom Docherty pounced on more slack play at the back from hosts and curled goalwards, but Lyness did enough to hold the former Clyde man’s effort.


Connor Smith should’ve done better than fire tamely at Ecrepont after dancing through a collection of challenges for the home side, before another great chance came and went for the away side.


Brilliant play from teenager McEvoy sent Ally Roy clear, and he showed Stephen Hendrie a clean pair of heels before crossing for the diving McIntosh - but he was inches away from bulleting in his first Dumbarton goal.


The veteran came close again after getting on the end of substitute Theo McCormick’s delivery, but hooked onto the roof of the net.


A raft of changes followed, with Accies subs Kevin O’Hara and Scott Robinson immediately going close.


Former Hearts man Robinson should’ve done better than blaze over from inside the area after a surging move down the left, with O’Hara then flashing wide of the far post after a clever run.


A huge block from Morgyn Neill then denied O’Hara what looked like a certain goal, before Sons had one last chance to seal the win.


Youth graduate Dean Rhappozzoh, on his senior debut, nicked possession in the area and burst beyond a defender before drilling a low effort towards goal that was blocked by Lynass - as Sons were made to settle for 1-0.