Dumbarton 0, Dundee 0

Dumbarton earned a well-deserved replay after battling out a goalless draw with Dundee in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup at the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium on Saturday writes Kyle Crawford.

The Premiership side were largely dominant but Sons defended resolutely. and earned a replay at Dens Park. Having been without a win over The Dees in 13 matches, it was an outcome which satisfied manager Stevie Aitken.

Dundee started the game with real purpose and nearly went in front after just four minutes.

Greg Stewart found Nick Ross on the edge of the box, who fired a crisp left-footed strike which cannoned off Jamie Ewings’ right-hand post before the Sons goalkeeper smothered the rebound from Rory Loy.

The Dark Blues heaped pressure on their Championship opponents in the early stages with the home side struggling to cope. Gary Harkins threatened with an effort from long range but it went wide.

However, Dumbarton grew into the game after a shaky start. Their main threat came from Christian Nade, on his Sons debut after completing a move from Hamilton Accies. The French striker’s presence prevented Darren O’Dea from clearing a Tom Walsh delivery but Darren Barr’s shot from the rebound was blocked.

Dundee thought they had broken the deadlock on 36 minutes after Rory Loy played Kane Hemmings in on goal.

The striker lifted the ball over the onrushing Ewings and it was heading for the net before a terrific goal-line clearance from Mark Docherty kept the scores level.

The pitch had been a concern before kick-off and, as the wind and rain continued to batter the ground, it cut up badly as the second half went on. The conditions were always going to limit the chances of eye catching football.

Dundee continued to have the bulk of the play but the large away support were getting frustrated as their final ball too often went awry.

Hemmings had the ball in the net on 56 minutes after being played through on goal by Stewart, but the linesman’s flag was quickly up.

Sons’ Tom Walsh showed good skill on the wing soon after to evade challenges from Paul McGowan and Paul McGinn, however his cross was out of reach for Nade.

Dumbarton enjoyed a good spell in the middle of the second half and Docherty curled a right-footed effort from the edge of the box just wide on 64 minutes.

It was turning into a frustrating day for Paul Hartley’s side. Set pieces seemed the most likely avenue for them to breach Sons’ well-organised defence. Harkins was close to doing so as he stooped to head a Stewart corner but his effort flew just over the bar.

Substitute Arturo then spurned a golden opportunity for the Dens Park side minutes after coming on. Rory Loy’s square ball set up the Spaniard but he made a poor connection and Ewings gathered easily.

Both teams pressed for a winner into the closing stages with Kevin Holt and Stewart going close for Dundee but it ended goalless.

Dumbarton: Ewings, Docherty, Saunders, Buchanan, Gallagher (Taggart, 79), Fleming, Barr, Routledge, Wright, Walsh, Nade (Cawley 75). Subs not used: Brown, Kirkpatrick, McCallum, Waters, Heh.

Dundee: Bain, Holt, Konrad, Stewart, Loy (Low, 78), Hemmings, Ross (Arturo, 71), McGowan, McGinn, O’Dea, Harkins.

Attendance: 1,410.