DUMBARTON captain Darren Barr has singled out the club’s next match at home to Ayr United as a “massive” game for the Sons.

The defender, speaking after Saturday’s 0-0 draw with table-toppers Queen of the South, added his side have given a good account of themselves so far this season — bar the first half against Raith last week.

And the tie against The Honest Men is one the 31-year-old wants to win to gain some momentum.

He said: “You can see how tight it is at the bottom and even the middle of the league. I don’t think we’re far off it, but these games are key for confidence.

“You want to win every game but we need to worry about ourselves.

“Nothing is going to be decided just yet from the three points from the Ayr game, but from a team perspective trying to build some momentum and trying to carry things on it’s a massive game.

“We need another win and to try and put points on the board.”

Barr was paired with Mark Docherty at the centre of the Sons defence, with Gregor Buchanan and Frazer Wright suspended last Saturday.

And the former Hearts player said it was a good first experience as they helped their side to their second clean sheet of the season.

He added: “I liked playing with him there, that was the first time I’ve played with him at centre-half and he did well there.

“He’s a good player, good on the ball and he’s a good talker and organiser. It’s good for the younger boys as he’s been there and done it.

“There’s not always a lot of that at times from us but he’s always trying to organise us or trying to help somebody out.”

And the Sons captain, who played through the pain barrier after damaging his ribs last week at Raith, thought his side did enough to come away with at least a point against Gavin Skelton’s side.

He added: “I was sore yesterday, but we got through it.

“I thought especially in the first half we played well, second half we did all right and thought we should have taken something from it considering they’re top of the league.

“We just can’t get that goal or that bit of luck at times, but it’s a clean sheet and gave a good account of ourselves. The league is close and there’s a lot to play for.

“The performances are there, these wee breaks, like with my chance and Thommo’s [Robert Thomson’s] header.

“They need to start going for us as we’re putting the work in and showing the commitment.”