Clyde2–0Dumbarton

Dumbarton’s nine match unbeaten run came to an end with defeat to promotion-chasing Clyde.

 

Sons were their own worst enemies at New Douglas Park, with two mistakes gifting Scott Williamson chances - and the forward was in clinical form to ensure the Bully Wee booked their place in the playoffs.

 

Gaffer Frank McKeown was forced into one change from the largely settled side that had defeated Stirling Albion a week earlier, as Gordon Walker replaced the injured Josh Todd.

 

A quiet first-half saw chances at a premium, with Adam Livingstone’s 35-yarder flashing by Jay Hogarth’s far post in one of few early openings.

 

As the game moved beyond the 20 minute mark Clyde’s Scott Williamson then should’ve done better when played clean through, but he got the call caught between his feet - and the chance was gone.

 

That was a warning shot however, with Williamson teeing up Marley Redfearn shortly after - and he curled over from the edge of the box with Aidan Rice at full stretch.

 

A strong Mark Durnan block then charged down another Redfearn effort after a sustained spell of Clyde pressure, with Darren Hynes’ deflected piledriver stinging the hands of Rice in the Dumbarton goal - as the sides went in level.

 

After standing firm in the first-half, Sons got off to a nightmare second 45 - as they gifted their hosts the lead just four minutes after the restart.

 

A bouncing ball forward caught out Mark Durnan, leaving Scott Williamson one-on-one and he clinically slotted beyond Aidan Rice.

 

Andy Murdoch almost added a quickfire second with a diving header that was narrowly off target, but the Bully Wee wouldn’t have to wait long for a second. And again it was Sons who were masters of their own downfall.

 

Alexander Smith’s attempted backpass was pounced on by Williamson, who calmly rounded Rice to double the home side’s advantage.

 

After Rice had held an audacious outside of the boot Kyle Connell effort from the edge of the area, Sons created their first two openings of note.

 

First Leighton McIntosh did superbly to control a high ball and open up space, but his shot lacked power and rolled by the post.

 

A neat short corner routine involving Ally Roy, Alexander Smith and Adam Livingstone then created another chance for Sons’ talisman - but former Dumbarton keeper Jay Hogarth was out with a brave punch to clear the danger.

 

In an attempt to move the game back in his side’s favour, Sons boss Frank McKeown introduced Aaron Brown for his first action in two months - and the January arrival from Ayr United was almost straight on the scoresheet.

 

Dumbarton’s best move of the game saw Scott Honeyman’s crossfield pass superbly controlled by Ally Roy, who sent Adam Livingstone free in the box.

 

The former Clyde man curled the ball across the face of goal - where talisman Leighton McIntosh and substitute Brown both slid agonisingly close to touching into the empty net.

 

At the other end, reigning Dumbarton player of the year Sena Niang found himself in an unfamiliar position in the box - but screwed wide, before a frustrating day ended on a fitting note as the influential Smith was forced off by injury - meaning Sons would finish the game with 10 men.