Dumbarton manager Stevie Aitken hailed his side’s “terrific” performance as they edged out St Mirren 1-0 at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.

Garry Fleming was able to capitalise after Jamie Langfield’s slack pass was picked off by Joe Thomson on 63 minutes.

And while Aitken thought his side rode his luck at times, he hopes the tide has finally turned after picking up his first away win in the league in just under a year.

He said: “I know our away form hasn’t been good, and even last season we struggled on the road a wee bit and it hasn’t been kind to us so far so to come here and get the win was terrific.

“Luck’s something we’ve not had since the start of the season, so maybe it’s beginning to turn.

When the ball comes off the bar you think it might fall to one of their players to finish it off.

“The players deserved that, they’ve been great. This division is very tough, every game is a hard game, a lot of big clubs with big reputations are in there and the team is competing really well so hopefully now that’s the luck on our side.”

Aitken’s side weathered some heavy pressure in the game, but a stern word at half-time with the players helped them edge six points above Saints.

The Sons also moved above Dunfermline into eighth place after their draw at home to Raith, ahead of two crucial home games against Morton and Raith.

He added: “It was important that we kept at least a three-point gap, and to make it six points was terrific.

“There’s still a long way to go, there’s still a lot of points to play for, St Mirren are a huge club and I’m sure they’ll win games.

“Funnily enough I think we’ve played better this year, I gave them a wee bit of a hammering at half-time as I thought we were very poor off the ball.

“The second half was better but we defended for our lives at the end and I’m delighted with the three points.”