Not many Dumbarton fans would have expected to be in this situation at the start of the season – yet here we are. One game from silverware.

Having won only five out of 31 games in the competition’s history, how have Sons managed to win that many games in just one season?

The road to the final started at The Rock, where Sons would play the first four rounds of the competition, against a Rangers Colts side.

Many fans stayed away as a sign of protest at the Colts sides’ inclusion in the tournament, with only 389 turning out to see Dumbarton win 2-1 in monsoon conditions.

An early penalty from Calum Gallagher, conceded by Aidan Wilson who would join Dumbarton on loan later in the season, put Dumbarton on their way in the opening stages.

Mark Stewart scored his first of the competition in the second half before Ryan Hardie, scoring against Dumbarton for his fifth different club, added a consolation.

The reward for advancing was another ‘non-traditional’ Challenge Cup club in the shape of Welsh Premier League side Connah’s Quay Nomads.

The visitors took the lead from the spot through Callum Morris midway through the first half.

In a hotly contested game, David Wilson drilled the ball through a busy penalty area with ten minutes left to take the game to extra time, and then with the two hours nearly up and penalties looming, step forward Dimitris Froxylias.

The Cypriot, making his debut, curled a free-kick over the wall and into the net to secure instant cult hero status.

Sons next saw off League One sides Stranraer and Raith Rovers in round three and the quarter-final respectively.

Former Dumbarton assistant manager Stephen Farrell was in charge of Stranraer, and it was a fairly routine win for Sons as Craig Barr and Stewart had Sons cruising.

Stephen Okoh added a late consolation as Sons won 2-1 for the third game on the bounce.

High-flying Raith brought a different challenge to The Rock, as despite the difference in leagues Sons may have found themselves as the underdog.

In the end, the Championship side came out on top thanks to goals from Chris McLaughlin and Ally Roy.

This team had already made themselves legends after reaching the semi-final. And so much more was still to come.

Almost 500 Sons fans made the journey to Oswestry to see their side take on Welsh Premier League champions – and regular UEFA Champions League competitors – The New Saints.

Most probably travelled for the novelty of seeing their side play outside of Scotland rather than in expectation.

But they should have expected. As usual, it would have been daft to write Dumbarton off.

Even 75 minutes into the game and 1-0 down after Dean Ebbe’s goal, you still should have expected.

Danny Handling curled in a beauty from 20 yards – a goal worthy of taking something from any game. But it still wasn’t the best goal you’d see on that famous Saturday night.

Froxylias was up to his usual tricks and his free-kick from 30 yards rifled, curled and dipped into the far corner.

When the 90 were up, there were terrific scenes in the stands, and in the streets, as Sons fans embraced, danced and cried after what they had just witnessed.

Who would put it past this lot to make us all feel the same way again?