Published: Tuesday, 1st December, 2009 9:00am
SONS HOLD TON TO CUP REPLAY
Greenock Morton 0 Dumbarton 0
DUMBARTON produced another fine away performance to merit a replay in a scoreless draw at Cappielow in the Active Nation Scottish Cup on Saturday.
Although Morton enjoyed territorial superiority, an excellent rearguard action restricted the home side to shooting from distance.
Jan Vojacek in goal was called into action no more than normal on Saturday. And in spite of limited possession, Dumbarton went forward whenever possible and could have won the tie, or lost it, in stoppage time.
With a full squad to choose from, Jim Chapman kept faith with the side who were narrowly defeated at Cowdenbeath a fortnight ago.
The home side carved out the first chance of the game in 10 minutes when a cross from David van Zanten fell to Jim McAlister, but Vojacek saved with his legs.
Erik Paartalu had a shot blocked and from the rebound Ryan McGuffie's shot was pushed away by Vojacek.
Dumbarton came into the game with two quick chances of their own.
An Andy Geggan cross was cut out by Colin Stewart before the same player intercepted a poor Stewart Greacen pass, but shot over from good position.
Half chances were exchanged before the interval when a Brian Wake snap-shot was held easily by Vojacek before a move involving Geggan and Scott Chaplain saw Roddy Hunter's header saved easily.
Dumbarton almost conceded in the opening minute of the second half when Wake broke clear, but his cross was cut out by Smith.
Sons' first chance of the half fell to Geggan, but his first shot was blocked and the rebound was held by Stewart.
The visitors were gaining in confidence when Chaplain wasted an opportunity before a Stevie Murray shot was held by the keeper.
At the other end, Ben Gordon had to be alert to block a Kevin Finlayson effort before a long ball from Stewart saw Paartalu fire well over.
Twenty minutes from time Morton had the ball in the net, but Brian Graham was clearly offside.
In the final quarter both sides went for glory and half-hearted penalty appeals were shared.
Derek Carcary was eased off the ball by Greacan before the Morton defender clashed with Vojacek.
Referee Steven McLean showed no interest in awarding either claim.
Morton's McAlister became more influential but the Sons defence held firm. In the dying minutes, Ross Clark set Derek Carcary clear, but his effort was blocked by Stewart.
Morton drove to the other end and a Paartalu shot ricocheted into the path of Finlayson but Vojacek was up to the task and pushed the ball clear.
In the end a draw was the correct result and the sides will do it all again at the Strathclyde Homes Stadium this Saturday. The scheduled fixture away to Stirling Albion will be postponed as a result.
Referee: S McLean. Crowd: 1,882.
Dumbarton: Vojacek, O'Donoghue, Smith, Dunlop, Gordon, McStay, Chisholm, Chaplain, Hunter, (Carcary 76), Geggan, (Clark 81), Murray. Subs not used: Craig, McNiff, White.











