Forfar Athletic ran out 3-2 winners at The C&G Systems Stadium on Saturday as Dumbarton’s winless streak extended to five games.

Dale Hilson had the visitors ahead early on before Bobby Barr scored his first of the afternoon to level things up.

But two goals, one from John Baird and the other from Dylan Easton, towards the end of the opening period gave Dumbarton a lot of work to do in the second half.

Barr would eventually pull one back after 85 minutes but it wasn’t enough time for Sons to find an equaliser.

It was the same starting eleven for Dumbarton, but with just three substitutes on the bench after Scott Allardice’s loan from Dundee United ended and he returned to Tannadice.

Sons perhaps should have been ahead in the opening minute, but Michael Paton poked the ball over from close range after beating visiting goalkeeper Marc McCallum to Dom Thomas’ cross.

And Dumbarton would be made to pay after just four minutes when Hilson touched the ball home from close range, getting on the end of Mark Hill’s low ball across goal.

Sons would equalise nearly 15 minutes after going behind when Barr got on the end of Callum Gallagher’s clearance, got away from his man and finished well.

Jim Duffy’s men were the better side as Paton and Stuart Carswell had shots blocked, Ross Forbes flashed a free-kick wide and Thomas had an effort saved.

But it was all too easy for the visitors when they ventured forward, and Easton slipped in Baird who rounded Smith and finished to put the Loons ahead for a second time.

That was on 37 minutes, and after 41 Sons would have it all to do.

Easton’s shot cruelly deflected off Willie Dyer and flew into the other side of the net, giving Smith no chance.

The outcome was unfortunate, but the fact Easton had so much time on the ball without being challenged was concerning.

In the second half, Sons were on top without doing too much to trouble McCallum.

Every low drilled cross was hacked away, every floated cross was headed clear and every shot seemed to float either harmlessly wide or right at the Forfar ‘keeper.

The moment that perhaps summed up Dumbarton’s fortunes at the moment came on 71 minutes when Thomas’ cross squirmed through the arms and legs of McCallum before hitting the inside of the post and being cleared - you just know that if that had happened at the other end the ball would have nestled in the net.

Hope would arrive on 85 minutes when Barr drilled the ball through the sea of Forfar bodies, and this time instead of being blocked or going behind for a corner, the ball would fly into the net.

Sons would continue to come frustratingly close as the game came to a finish with shots being deflected just the wrong side of the post, along with a few half hearted penalty appeals thrown in for good measure.

There was to be no dramatic equaliser and next week’s six-pointer with Brechin City at Glebe Park could be huge come May.