Dumbarton Academy fell to a 5-1 defeat against Bannockburn despite taking an early lead.

Jack Buchanan headed Accies in front after 10 minutes but goals from Steven Knox, John McGregor and Andrew McGowan gave the visitors a 3-1 lead at half-time.

And despite Accies going close in the second half, Kenneth McLellan and Allan Green fired in late on to seal the victory.

In a frantic game, Accies had an early claim for a penalty when Alan Nicholson was tripped inside the box.

However, after James Crowhurt reacted quickest from an Alan Gourlay corner, Buchanan was able to head home.

The visitors’ equaliser came after a mix-up in attack allowed Bannockburn to counter, with Knox firing in a 25-yard shot which crashed in off the woodwork.

And while Accies spurned numerous chances to retake the lead, it was the away side that took control towards the end of the first half. And Bannockburn came out of the blocks quicker after the break, with Ross Evans firing wide.

Accies began to come into the game more, with Callum Shipcott and Tom McHard both hitting the posts.

But they were punished for the second consecutive week, conceding two last-minute goals to McLellan and Green.

Dumbarton Academy’s next game is at home to Eaglesham in the Sectional League Cup on Saturday.