SPIRITED and committed Dumbarton fell to a 2-1 defeat against Dundee United at Tannadice on Saturday, writes Jack Crawford.

Both sides missed first-half chances and went into the break 0-0, before United pulled away in the second half via a Mark Docherty own goal and a close-range finish from William Edjenguele.

Robert Thomson scored with 20 minutes to go to set up a tense finale, but the wait for an away victory goes on for Sons.

Dumbarton boss Stevie Aitken knew changes were needed after last week’s defeat to Ayr United, and altered his tactics and personnel.

Gregor Buchanan, making his 50th appearance for the club, and Garry Fleming replaced Craig Pettigrew and Ryan Stevenson.

David Smith was lining up at right back for the Sons to deal with the pace of Tope Odebai, while Robert Thomson, who has lead the line all season, was on the left with Fleming the lone striker.

The first real chance fell to United’s Scott Fraser after just six minutes. When the ball was squared to him he was six yards from goal and didn’t look like he could miss, but seen his shot come crashing off the post before Dumbarton cleared.

It looked as if Alan Martin may have got a vital hand on to the ball, in which case it will go down as one of the saves of the season.

Opposite number Cammy Bell made a great save from close range to prevent Fleming from opening the scoring after a good spell of pressure.

Bell made an arguably even better save midway through the first half when he leapt across his goal to push away a Thomson header, while Buchanan glanced wide.

It was then Martin’s time to be called into action again, getting a strong hand on the ball to push over a free kick from Fraser.

Martin then stopped Nick van der Velden, who caught the ball sweetly but lacked precision to find the net. Mark Docherty cleared a header off the line from the resulting corner.

After all the first-half heroics from Martin to deny the hosts, there was one thing he wouldn’t have accounted for — conceding a goal to one of his teammates.

But, that’s what happened when a corner was driven in and glanced into the far corner by Docherty.

There was relief around Tannadice, followed by a feeling that the floodgates might open.

Dumbarton were resolute, though, and Sam Stanton, playing just behind Fleming and having what was his best game in a Sons’ shirt so far, saw space open up in front of him just outside the area but the shot was easy for Bell.

Just a couple of minutes later, however, the lead was doubled. Despite another good save from Martin, the loose ball was picked up by Edjenguele who converted.

Aitken then introduced Andy Stirling to the action, a substitution which had an immediate impact.

Stirling showed quick feet to create space and drive a ball into the box, which was bravely met by Thomson who beat Bell to the ball.

The former Dundee United man picked up a knock in the process, but was able to remain on the pitch and stay as one of the few men who have played every minute of the campaign so far.

It looked as if Dumbarton should have been awarded a free kick shortly after.

Stanton was bursting through on goal and hauled back but referee Craig Charleston, who had made a series of decisions all afternoon that baffled both sets of supporters, was unmoved.

Despite having a lot of the ball, Sons couldn’t do anything with it, and while a grandstand finale may have been on the cards, it never really came to fruition.