Dumbarton have axed manager Stevie Aitken after the side’s disastrous start to the season.

Aitken’s dismissal comes just two days after the club’s latest league defeat, a 3-2 loss away to Stranraer.

With just two wins from their opening nine matches, Sons chiefs have opted to act.

Sons have toiled in League One so far this season with last week’s heavy 5-1 loss to Raith Rovers and their recent loss against Stranraer proving to be the final straw for the 42-year-old.

Despite Aitken guiding Dumbarton to their first cup final in more than 100 years with an appearance in the Irn-Bru Cup final showpiece in March, their Championship campaign last season ended in relegation as they lost out to Alloa in the play-offs.

Looking to bounce back immediately, the gaffer was busy in the transfer market this summer as he prepared for life in League One but a horrendous run of injury setbacks has seen Dumbarton fail to make it out of the group stages of the Betfred Cup, crash out of the Irn-Bru Cup in the second round and lose five of their opening nine league matches.

Sons have struggled to put together a starting 11 in recent weeks with the majority of the squad being forced to play out of position, but Aitken had hinted as recently as Monday morning that he had the backing of the board who were taking the injury crisis into consideration.

Aitken had managed to keep the amateur side in the Scottish Championship for two successful seasons but recent form as well as a number of vocal fans calling for his head has seen him relieved of his duties at the C&G Systems Stadium.

Aitken was in charge for 154 matches, recording 42 wins, 38 draws and 74 defeats in his three years with the club.

Dumbarton released a short statement on Monday afternoon, which read: “Dumbarton FC regrets to announce that it has parted company with manager Stevie Aitken.

“He had been in charge since May 2015.”