Dumbarton fought bravely but eventually fell to a 6-2 by Dundee at Dens Park in the Betfred Cup.

The Sons took a deserved 2-1 lead into half-time, via Frazer Wright and Gregor Buchanan, the first time a Dumbarton team has ever scored two goals away at Dundee in their history.

But it was not enough for Aitken’s side, as tiredness began to tell as the Premiership eventually overpowered the visitors, scoring five second-half goals.

This was a much improved performance compared two their previous two outings in the cup.

However Dundee's quality shone through as a hattrick from Greg Stewart, a Hemmings double and Darren O'Dea's goal gave Dundee a comfortable win in the end.

Dumbarton started off with an early spell of possession, in the opening minutes, but it was Greg Stewart who scored first from a free kick after 16 minutes.

Stewart whipped in a cross, and the ball drifted straight into the goal, with keeper Mark Brown expecting someone to get a touch on the ball.

But the Sons equalised 10 minutes later with a scrappy goal via Wright, his first goal since joining the club.

Paul Hartley’s men failed to clear Stevenson’s corner, and Thomson attempted to prod it in, but the defender scrambled it over the line to bring the visitors level.

And the Sons doubled their score before half-time, Thomson again coming close but his attempted crashing off the bar, and Buchanan calmly fired it into the bottom corner of the goal.

Aitken’s men looked to pick up Dumbarton’s first win against the Dens Park side since 1984.

But Dundee came out of the blocks quickly, with Kane Hemmings beating the offside trap to bring the scores level again just after the restart.

And as Dundee began to control the game, Brown was forced into a fantastic quick-fire double save before the hour mark.

Andy Stirling had Dumbarton’s first chance of the second half on 62 minutes, however the winger blazed his shot well over the bar from outside the box.

The part-timers looked much more energetic and slicker in their passing, as the beginning of the league season draws nearer.

The hosts continued to pile on pressure, with Ryan Stevenson scrambling the ball off the line after 68 minutes.

But the hosts pressure finally told, scoring four goals in the last 18 minutes.

Stewart’s free-kick was turned in by O’Dea, as he powered his header past Mark Brown after 72 minutes.

Dundee edged further ahead with Stewart changing from provider to scorer, stays cool and fires it in from just inside the box.

And the premiership side began to turn the screw as clinical finishing man of the match Stewart bagged his hattrick and Hemmings put the game beyond doubt.

Dumbarton’s next game is at home to Peterhead next Saturday, kick-off 3pm.