Sons live to regret error

Published 17 Aug 2010 10:00 0 Comments

Share this

Dumbarton....1

Livingston.... 2

DUMBARTON were unfortunate to lose at home to Livingston on Saturday in a game dominated by bizarre refereeing decisions.

Having come back from a goal down, Dumbarton succumbed to a goal from an individual mistake as former Son Iain Russell came back to haunt his old club with a last-gasp winner.

The Sons opened brightly and threatened the visitor’s goal from the outset. Derek Carcary attacked down the right and his cross was turned behind for a corner.

Minutes later he set off on a run but his weak shot was comfortably saved by Bullock. After 13 minutes Paul Maxwell pounced on a poor square pass from Talbot and set off for goal. From 18 yards he shot but Tony Bullock saved with his legs.

In their first meaningful attack of the game Livingston took the lead. Iain Russell fell over in the penalty box and to the astonishment of everyone, referee Neil Watters awarded a penalty.

Robbie Winters cooly stroked home the award.

Unperturbed by this setback, Dumbarton returned to the attack whereupon Campbell set up a chance for Wilson who couldn’t direct his header with any force.

Maxwell had another chance to open his scoring account early in the second period when Chaplain set up the chance but keeper Bullock did well to block the striker’s shot. At the other end, Ben Gordon was short with a headed back pass but Stephen Grindlay came to the rescue at the feet of Russell. Carcary picked up a loose ball but couldn’t fine the power to beat Bullock.

With possibly the best period of play in the game, Dumbarton patiently kept possession awaiting an opportunity. When it arrived, Maxwell was just off target with his header.

In 70 minutes, Dumbarton secured the equaliser with a penalty kick of their own.

The award was no more obvious than that of the visitors and as a result, another former Son O’Byrne received his second caution. Scott Chaplain netted the spot-kick for the second successive game.

Seven minutes later 10 man Livingston scored the winner. Allan McManus allowed a free-kick from halfway to bounce over his head.

Russell nipped in between Martin McNiff and Grindlay to secure the opportunity. Grindlay saved the striker’s first two attempts before Russell netted at the third attempt.

Carcary had the final opportunity to save the game but his shot was well blocked by the visitors defence.

Jim Chapman said: “We got our pride back after last week. We made a mistake at the back and paid the penalty with the winning goal.”

Dumbarton: Grindlay, Nugent (McShane 82), McNiff, McManus, Gordon, McStay (Chisholm 82) , Geggan, Carcary, Maxwell , Campbell, (Chaplain 46), Wilson Subs not used: Cook, White.

This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 17 Aug 10

Follow @dumbartonreport

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.