Published: Tuesday, 2nd March, 2010 4:00pm

Away day misery for plucky sons

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MISSED OPPORTUNITY: Dumbarton race into the box for a scoring chance

Arbroath... 3

Dumbarton... 1

Dumbarton missed the opportunity to put pressure on the top four when they slumped to defeat at Arbroath on Saturday.

Despite having the bulk of possession and a half-time lead, the Sons conceded three second half goals.

Conditions were less than ideal with the pitch cutting up and a persistent wind making passing football more difficult and both sides suffered from a number of misplaced passes.

Recent signing Dennis Wyness was handed his first start alongside trialist David Winters up front.

And it was the trialist who put Dumbarton ahead after eight minutes when he met a Chisholm cross on the half volley to drive home.

The home side responded with a Jackson cross which Lunan drove wide.

Full back Booth then crossed dangerously, forcing Dunlop to concede a corner.

The same player produced another dangerous cross which Chaplain swept clear.

Dumbarton had plenty of possession but failed to unduly trouble Hill, with Murray driving two long range efforts over the top before a Wyness 25-yard effort was easily held by the keeper.

Arbroath started the second half in the ascendancy, Jackson shooting straight at Vojacek before Rattray headed a Gibson free kick wide from good position.

After 55 minutes they equalised when Doris easily knocked home a Jackson pass.

Again Dumbarton enjoyed the bulk of possession but were restricted to efforts from Craig, O'Donoghue and Clark, all from outside the penalty area.

Against the run of play Arbroath took the lead on 74 minutes when a weak clearance fell to substitute Redman, who lifted the ball over Vojacek and into the net from 20 yards.

The Sons pushed for the equaliser and did have the ball in the net, but Wyness was ruled offside as he pounced on a rebound from a Carcary shot.

In the dying minutes the home side sealed victory when Booth took an inside pass and drilled an unstoppable shot past Vojacek from 25 yards.

Jim Chapman was happy with the first half display but not the second.

He told Sport Scene: "We were excellent in the first half when we passed the ball well and showed we can play.

"Credit Arbroath for their second half performance but we did not do the dirty part of the game well.

"We need to play for 90 minutes and not just 45."

Dumbarton: Vojacek, Chisholm, Smith, Dunlop, Gordon, O'Donoghue, (McStay 82), Craig, (Clark 56), Chaplain, Winters, (Carcary 76), Wyness, Murray.

Subs not used: McNiff, White.

Referee: S O'Reilly. Crowd - 521.