Dumbarton and Queen of the South played out a goalless draw at the CID Stadium in the Scottish Championship.

There were few clear-cut chances for either side, with Darren Barr going closest, his first-half header coming off the post.

The Sons captain, the only “fit” centre-back available for the home side, was playing with a cracked rib.

Gregor Buchanan and Frazer Wright were both out suspended, which meant Mark Docherty joined Barr at the heart of defence, performing admirably in his new role filling in at centre-back.

The result sees Dumbarton remain in ninth place, and Queens stay top of the table after Hibs’ stalemate with Dundee United.

The visitors threatened early on, with ex-Son loanee Stephen Dobbie linking up well with Lyndon Dykes but unable to convert the chance.

Dumbarton soon bounced back, and Robert Thomson had his close-range effort blocked by Lee Robinson in the Queens goal.

And after that Stevie Aitken’s side grew into the game, with some neat interplay and first-touch football. Ryan Stevenson, Sam Stanton and Josh Todd carved the Queens defence open after 18 minutes but were able to get the final ball through to Robert Thomson.

And the home side had their first and best chance to open the scoring on 28 minutes.

Daniel Harvie’s long throw was not dealt with by the away defence and Barr flicked his header on to the post and it rolled out for a goal kick.

It was a much improved display after 35 minutes from last week – the Sons were three goals behind at this point in the game at Kirkcaldy.

The side from the Rock continued to keep their defensive shape and limited Gavin Skelton’s side’s chances to a minimum, as they have done with several sides over the course of the season.

There have been only four goals at the CID Stadium in their four home games so far, with no team scoring more than one goal there.

Both teams looked more dangerous on the counter, content with catching their opponents off guard.

Queens took the chance to break after a Sons corner on 57 minutes. The ball was whipped in and Dobbie and Dykes both looked to latch on to the ball but Craig Pettigrew did enough to put the forwards off.

And Sam Stanton tried next to break the deadlock but his drilled shot after 61 minutes could only ripple the side-netting from a tight angle.

The Doonhammers’ best chance of the afternoon came on 70 minutes when Jamie Hamill’s drilled free-kick flashed across the Dumbarton six-yard box with no Queens players able to get the touch to put it past Alan Martin.

Both teams went for it at the end, with the Sons looking to snatch three points by taking Joe Thomson off for Garry Fleming, but they were unable to break the deadlock.

But it was a much-improved performance across the park from the Sons after their first-half collapse last week against Raith Rovers.

The Sons’ next game is at home to Ayr United on Saturday, October 15. Kick-off is at 3pm.

Dumbarton: Martin, Pettigrew, Docherty, J Thomson (Fleming, 82), Stevenson, Todd, R Thomson, Stanton (Stirling, 72), Harvie, Barr, Smith.

Subs not used: Ewings, McCallum.

Queen of the South: Robinson, Hamill, Dowie, Brownlie, Higgins, Anderson (Brotherston, 71), Millar, Rigg (Pickard, 81), Dobbie, Jacobs, Dykes.

Subs not used: Leighfield, Marshall, Hooper, Moxon.