JIM DUFFY has joined the growing number of managers looking to play trialists in the Betfred Cup after watching his Dumbarton side ship 10 goals in two games.

The Sons boss made his views known ahead of tonight’s final sectional match at home to Motherwell, after losing 4-1 to Queen of the South and 6-1 at Morton.

Dumbarton cannot qualify from Group E of the Betfred Cup even if they do shock the Premiership Steelmen, who have scored seven unanswered goals in their two ties so far.

And after Queen of the South overturned a bright start from Sons to have the game done and dusted in 23 minutes on Saturday, Duffy called for the rules on trialists to be relaxed.

He said: “I don’t know why this has only just come into the public domain.

“When the changes to the competition were first proposed [in 2016], managers were asked for their views. The general consensus was that it was a good format, but could it start later and allow trialists?

“Instead, the tournament starts earlier and no trialists are allowed.”
With pride wounded by the crushing 6-1 defeat at Cappielow, Dumbarton made a bright start through PJ Crossan’s opening goal against Queens.

READ MORE: Dumbarton can't build on bright start as Doonhammers run riot

But defensive frailties returned to haunt them, with the Dumfries side responding by scoring four goals in the succeeding 16 minutes.

Duffy, though, feels that things have to be allowed to take shape with his new-look squad, which added its 19th new recruit in Joe McKee on Friday morning.

He said: “It was a poor first 20 minutes from us, but after that we got more into the game and became more competitive.

“We could have thrown the towel in, but we didn’t. We just have to try to continue to grow as a team.”

Dumbarton have no game on Saturday as they are the team without a game in the group, which reaches its conclusion at the weekend.

Tonight’s kick-off at the C&G Systems Stadium is at 7.45pm.

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