Dumbarton goalkeeper Grant Adam was the hero for Sons on Saturday as he saved two penalties to ensure a bonus point for his side after the 0-0 Betfred Cup draw with Spartans at Ainslie Park.

Sons controlled the majority of the game and should have had the job done in 90 minutes but clinically got past their Lowland League opponents on penalties, scoring all four that they took to pick up the bonus point that is awarded to the team who wins the penalty shoot-out, if the match ends in a draw.

Chances were few and far between in the opening stages as Sons had to be patient against a well organised and disciplined Spartans side who only conceded 17 goals in the league last season on their way to being crowned Lowland League Champions.

Sons started well however and had the ball in the net early on only for it to be chalked offside. A free-kick from Ross Forbes was glanced on by a Sons shirt but bounced wide before Iain Russell headed into the net only to be denied by the linesman’s flag.

Ryan Thomson came close moments later with a similar header, this time in an onside position, however he could only nod it just over the crossbar as Spartans held on.

Jack Smith was the main outlet for the hosts as he made space for himself in the Sons box twice but he couldn’t work Adam from promising positions.

Neither keeper had a save of note to make in the opening period, and that continued for large parts of the second half.

Spartans did seem to be coming out their shell a little bit more after the break with David Greenhill curling just wide of the target.

Just after the hour mark Sons swapped their strikers, as former Rangers men Andy Little and Calum Gallagher replaced Russell and Thomson.

With penalties looking a likely outcome, Forbes really stepped up and showed his quality in the last half hour of the match from a wide right position.

He was constantly cutting in on to his left foot and looked a serious threat, whipping in dangerous balls and getting shots away.

Little and Gallagher also had a real positive impact since coming off the bench, with the former firstly being denied by Spartans keeper Blair Carswell before not quite connecting with a pull back from close range from another sub in the shape of Michael Paton.

Paton had a chance of his own in the closing stages but couldn’t find the finishing touch as he dragged the ball wide before it was confirmed that penalties would determine the winner.

Sons scored all four of their penalties, with Craig Barr emphatically rifling home and Kyle Hutton, Paton and Gallagher coolly slotting home.

Adam denied Ian McFarland and Jamie Dishington which meant that Sons left Edinburgh with two points in their first competitive action of the 2018/19 season.

Dumbarton welcome Queens Park to The C&G Systems Stadium tomorrow (Tuesday) evening before Ladbrokes Premiership side Kilmarnock visit The Rock on Saturday.