Dumbarton moved six points clear of the relegation places following a 1-0 win over Livingston at a wind-battered Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium on Saturday writes Kyle Crawford.

Mark Docherty scored the only goal in the second half, catching out Livi keeper Marc McCallum with a wicked delivery from a corner which went straight into the net.

Sons boss Stevie Aitken kept the same team which drew 0-0 at Raith Rovers the previous week. Jamie Ewings kept his spot in goals after a standout performance at Stark’s Park.

The pitch at the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium passed an inspection on the morning after taking the force from Storm Gertrude. There was a minutes' silence before the game to remember Dumbarton Chief Executive Gilbert Lawrie who recently passed away.

Despite the pitch looking in decent condition it soon became clear this would be a difficult day for football, Jamie Ewings struggled to clear his half with a couple of early kicks as Sons played into the gusting wind in the opening period.

The first clear chance would come for the home side. A loose pass in the Livi defence gave the ball to home debutant Tom Walsh. The on-loan Rangers man played through Garry Fleming, but Sons’ top scorer saw his effort blocked by Marc McCallum in the Livi goal.

Livingston threatened with a number of set pieces but Sons largely dealt well with those.

After some good play on the left from Fleming, Walsh supplied a telling cross which almost put Sons in front after 23 minutes. His terrific delivery ricocheted off a defender and bounced just wide of the post.

Minutes later Sam Stanton held off a challenge from Jamie Lindsay before striking from 25 yards, but it flew just over Ewings’ crossbar.

McCallum had to be alert to stop Grant Gallagher breaking the deadlock after 29 minutes. A Walsh free kick ricocheted to Gallagher on the left side of the six yard box, he struck the ball left footed on the volley but McCallum pushed it wide.

Jordan White missed Livi’s best chance of the first half when he swung at fresh air from the left side of the box.

McCallum was once again on top form, this time to prevent Gregor Buchanan breaking the deadlock. The defender hooked a cross ball towards goal but the keeper was sharply across to divert the ball wide.

Livi made a double change at half-time with Jordyn Sheerin and Morgyn Neill replacing Danny Mullen and Darren Cole.

The second period would continue in much the same vein with both sides struggling to put together any cohesive play, but a moment of ingenuity would soon break the deadlock for the home side.

On 57 minutes Sons were awarded a corner. With the wind blowing toward the Livi goal an inswinger from Mark Docherty was was always going to prove dangerous. Just as at Alloa earlier in the season Docherty swung it into the far corner, the ball evading everyone to fly into the net and put Sons in front.

Fleming soon stung the palms of McCallum from the edge of the box after being set up by Walsh. Liam Buchanan then dragged an effort wide from tight angle for the away side.

Jamie Ewings then fully justified Aitken’s decision to keep faith with him. First he stopped Liam Buchanan’s goal-bound strike down to his left before saving from Neill’s header from the resulting corner.

Last-ditch blocks from Jamie Lindsay and Steven Saunders kept Livi at bay as Sons hung on.

The goalkeepers were proving to be two of the - performances of the day. McCallum again denied Fleming from the edge of the area before blocking Walsh’s rebound effort.

Livi pressed for an equaliser but Sons held firm.

Dumbarton: Ewings, Docherty, Buchanan, Wright, Docherty, Cawley (Taggart, 72) Routledge, Lindsay (Barr, 80) Walsh (Heh, 86), Gallagher, Fleming. Subs not used: Brown, Kirkpatrick, McCallum, Waters.