Dumbarton manager Stevie Aitken revealed after Saturday’s 1-0 win over Livingston that he tried to take Mark Docherty off corner duty at half-time, before the defender defied his boss to score straight from a corner delivery in the second half.

Docherty used the windy conditions to his advantage and scored direct from a corner kick for the second time this season to give Sons a win which stretches their lead over Livi, who occupy the relegation play-off spot in the Championship, to six points having played a game more.

Despite the gap, Aitken is refusing to get ahead of himself.

He said: “There is still a long way to go and we won’t be getting carried away, there’s still a lot of points to play for. But we are in a good place at the moment in terms of form, we’re looking a right good side.

“The conditions were terrible, it was hard enough to keep your feet never mind play football.

“It was funny because at half-time I told Mark not to take the corners because it was too much of a run for him to get back in, so he listened to what his manger said and went and done it!"

Jamie Ewings kept his place in goal for the Livi visit after impressing in last week’s 0-0 draw at Raith Rovers, when he replaced usual number one Mark Brown who was struck down with illness.

Skipper Darren Barr was also left on the bench after returning from injury and suspension.

Ahead of Saturday’s visit of Premiership side Dundee in the Scottish Cup, Aitken admits he has some tough decisions to make.

He added: “Jamie was outstanding and he has been patient throughout the season and worked really hard in training. I thought everything he did was spot on.

“He’s putting pressure on Mark Brown, and for someone to put pressure on a goalkeeper of Mark’s stature and quality, fair play to Jamie Ewings.

“There are decisions to be made for the Dundee game but they’re good decisions to have. Dundee are favourites, there’s no doubt about that, they’ll come down here and fancy it but we’re now starting to believe that at home we can take on anyone and that’s what we’re trying to instil in the players.”