Garry Fleming’s goal was the difference between Dumbarton and Falkirk on Saturday afternoon, with the Sons running out 2-1 winners, writes Jack Crawford.

An own goal gave Dumbarton a half-time lead, and when Craig Sibbald equalised The Bairns looked favourites for the win.

However, just two minutes after the leveller, Fleming’s fine strike gave Dumbarton a vital three points.

There was one Sons change from the defeat at Hibs last week as Sam Stanton replaced Josh Todd.

Chances were at a premium in the first half, with Falkirk dominating possession but failing to create a chance that seriously threatened Alan Martin in the Sons goal.

Craig Sibbald fired straight at the keeper before John Baird put the ball in the net, but the assistant referee’s flag denied him.

Referee Mat Northcroft made a series of calls that baffled both sets of supporters, which meant temperatures were rising on both sides.

It looked liked the closest Dumbarton would come to a goal in the first half would be a header from Robert Thomson that former Sons loanee Danny Rogers gathered easily.

However, on the stroke of half time they went in front.

Falkirk’s Aaron Muirhead, under pressure from Thomson, ended up heading the ball into his own net from Mark Docherty’s corner to give Dumbarton the lead at the break.

At the beginning of the second half, Mark Kerr came close for the visitors, and Docherty made a vital block to deny Baird.

Dumbarton had chances of their own and Joe Thomson perhaps should have done better after Fleming clipped the ball towards the Celtic loanee.

On the 65-minute mark, however, the Bairns equalised. A ball into the box wasn’t dealt with and Sibbald eventually drilled the ball home in a busy penalty area.

Just two minutes later, Dumbarton were ahead again.

J Thomson won the ball in his own half and offloaded the ball to Stanton.

From deep inside his own half, the man on loan from Hibs drove forward before sliding the ball through to Fleming. As composed as ever, he took a touch and dispatched the ball into the bottom corner.

A chance followed for Andy Stirling but he missed the target on the volley from close range with a goal beckoning.

Going into the last 10 minutes, Falkirk were committing bodies forward and Dumbarton caught their opponents on the counter attack several times and should have taken advantage.

The visitors continued to drive forward, putting pressure on with several crosses into the box, but committed defending from Dumbarton kept them ahead.

Falkirk created a golden chance deep into added time when Baird drilled the ball across goal towards Scott Shepherd. Fortunately for Sons the substitute missed the target from close range when it looked easier to score.

Dumbarton’s substitutes Ryan Stevenson and Josh Todd kept the ball down by the corner flag as the clock ticked down. The final whistle came and the points stayed at the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium.

With results elsewhere going in Sons favour, Stevie Aitken’s men now lie in eighth place.

They are level on points with Ayr United and Dunfermline going into their Christmas Eve clash with the Honest Men at Somerset Park.

Kick off on Saturday is at 12.30pm.