Forfar Athletic2–3Dumbarton

Leighton McIntosh bagged a late double as Dumbarton came from 2-0 to defeat Forfar Athletic.


Sons got off to a nightmare start on their return to League Two action, as Martin Rennie’s acrobatic effort and a thunderous Jack Dolzanski’s drive had the Loons 2-0 up with just 11 minutes played.


Scott Honeyman hooked in his fourth of the campaign to half the deficit before half-time, before McIntosh’s brace saw Sons complete a turnaround from 2-0 behind for the first time since 2019.


And boss Stevie Farrell believes his side, who would be level on points with title favourites East Kilbride but for a five point deduction to start the season, haven’t had the credit they deserved.


He said: “In real terms we’ve earned 13 points this quarter with three games still left to play.


“Dumbarton fans must be loving watching this side because they’ve got something about them. We’re on a right good run this season.


“It’s a good time to be a Dumbarton supporter just now. And we’re still a work in progress.


“To come from where we came from, bringing in 16 or 17 players, I don’t think gets enough credit. The players have done extremely well, especially with the pressure of the -5 points.”


Dumbarton had the first chance of the game, as Dom Docherty’s corner was only half-cleared - but Morgyn Neill saw his effort from the edge of the area charged down.


The Loons responded, making the breakthrough from a second minute corner of their own.


Craig Slater’s delivery was headed into the path of Martin Rennie six yards out, and his overhead kick squeezed its way beyond Shay Kelly.


The bad start got even worse with the home side’s next attack.


A high ball wasn’t dealt with by a static Dumbarton defence, with the ball dropping to Jack Dolzansaki who arrowed in a low drive from the edge of the area.


After tasting defeat last time out on league duty against Edinburgh City, it was looking like back-to-back losses for Stevie Farrell’s side - but they began to show signs of life as the half wore on.


Scott Tomlinson’s pace was causing issues down the right, with the Ayr United loanee twice finding no-takers for cutbacks across the face of goal.


Gordon Walker then blazed off target from a good position, before Sons got themselves on the scoresheet six minutes before the interval.


Ryan Blair’s free-kick found Tomlinson at the far post, and his delivery was acrobatically hooked in by Scott Honeyman.


That looked to give the visitors the lift they needed, and Tomlinson quickly raced in behind in search of an equaliser - with the winger’s cross just too powerful to be controlled by the onrushing Leighton McIntosh.


The second period saw Sons continue to have more of the momentum, albeit without calling veteran home keeper Marc McCallum into any serious action.


That all changed on the hour mark with the introduction of Ally Roy and Kristian Webster for Ryan Blair and Gordon Walker however.


Great play down the left from Honeyman and Kai Kirkpatrick created an opening for Roy, but his goalbound effort was heroically blocked by Stuart Morrison - who took the ball full in the face to keep his side ahead.


There was nothing anyone in sky blue could do to deny Sons a leveller soon after however. With Roy heavily involved.


Tomlinson skipped clear of a challenge and picked out the forward, with his bullet header superbly touched onto the bar by McCallum - only for Leighton McIntosh to bravely stoop to force the loose ball over the line from point blank range.


After dangerman Roy had flashed over from range, Sons sent their fans into dreamland with two minutes remaining.


Strong play from substitute Tony Wallace sent Scott Honeyman clear, and his glorious cross was glanced into the far corner of the net by McIntosh to complete the comeback.