Dumbarton manager Jim Duffy watched his side cruise to their most comfortable three points of the season – before praising the groundsman for ensuring the game went ahead.

Ross Forbes and Jai Quitongo scored in either half as Sons moved to within seven points of East Fife in the promotion play-offs, and 14 ahead of last night’s opponents Forfar Athletic - a gap that should surely put any fears of being dragged into a battle at the foot of the table to bed.

Duffy’s side were in control from the off, and nearly took a lead in bizarre circumstances when Morgyn Neill’s long-range header had to be gathered at the second attempt by goalkeeper Marc McCallum.

Sons were bossing the possession stats but failed to create any clear-cut opportunities until the half-hour mark.

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PJ Crossan’s cross to the back post was met by Stefan McCluskey, with McCallum making a good save after narrowing the angle to prevent the Sons number 10 from netting his first goal for the club.

But the Loons keepers was to be powerless just a few minutes later, as Crossan’s flicked header was turned in by Forbes – the perfect way to celebrate his 31st birthday, and against the club he joined Dumbarton from in January no less.

He then came close with a diving header five minutes before the break but nodded wide after beating McCallum to the ball.

In the second period, Quitongo had two opportunities in the opening 20 minutes with a header bouncing just by the foot of the post and another strike bravely blocked when it looked goalbound.

But there was to be no stopping the former Morton man from opening his Sons account on 69 minutes, as he clinically beat McCallum after a flowing move that involved both Forbes and Crossan, who notched his second assist of the evening.

Dumbarton continued to dominate but failed to add to their tally, with the width of the crossbar preventing Joe McKee from getting on the score sheet.

Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter: Jai Quitongo grabbed Sons' second of the night as they eased to all three points (Photo: Andy Scott)Jai Quitongo grabbed Sons' second of the night as they eased to all three points (Photo: Andy Scott)

Conor Brennan acrobatically pushed away Robbie Leitch’s strike at the other end in the visitor's only real chance of note.

It was a more routine victory for Duffy’s side after the excitement of Saturday’s last-minute winner over league leaders Raith Rovers and the Sons boss was delighted with the standard of display.

“It wasn’t as dramatic as Saturday but it was a better performance all round – I thought we played very well tonight," Duffy told Reporter Sport.

“I thought we played some really good, controlled football and obviously it’s the first time we’ve had decent weather for a number of weeks in terms of the conditions.

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“The pitch has stood up fantastically well, I have to give great credit to the groundsman because for the weather we’ve had recently, the rain and the amount of games on it, it was terrific which has allowed us to get the ball down and play.

“I felt tonight we were calm in possession and we weren’t rushed.

“I know everyone wants you to try and get the ball forward quickly but I felt we had to just keep moving the ball tonight and we did that.

“It’s the first time for a good number of weeks that I can remember us controlling a game for the 90 minutes.”

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