Dumbarton 1 Forfar 0: Duthie scores late to secure Sons win

The substitute’s first goal for the club in Tuesday night's clash with bottom dogs Forfar was enough for all three points as Sons moved out of the relegation play-off spot.

Dumbarton's move to eighth place came after Clyde’s fixture with East Fife on Tuesday was postponed due to a positive Covid test in the Clyde camp that was only discovered moments before kick-off.

The ramifications of that incident are yet to be confirmed, as the Scottish FA's joint response group told both clubs that the game could go ahead and East Fife declined, citing player safety as the reason.

A number of possible scenarios have been discussed, including Clyde being awarded all three points as a result of the Fife’s side refusal to play, or the game being replayed next Thursday.

Dumbarton secured what could be a priceless three points in the battle to avoid the drop to League Two by beating Forfar 1-0 at the C&G Systems Stadium on Tuesday night (Photo - Andy Scott)

At the C&G Systems Stadium, however, Dumbarton boss Jim Duffy – for whom Duthie's late strike, from a PJ Crossan cross, was the perfect gift on his 62nd birthday – only had eyes on the events involving his side, and hopes that the late show turns out to be pivotal come the end of the season.

Speaking post-match about the Clyde situation, he said: “I don’t know anything about it. We’ll let them deal with it. I was just happy to get the three points.

“It wasn’t a classic football match – in difficult conditions, again – but it was two teams giving everything.

"In the first-half we created two or three really good chances and we said at half time we just have to stay disciplined and take a wee bit more care.

“Thankfully the boys that came on off the bench, PJ and Conner, got a good combination, and it was a good finish, so we’re delighted with the three points.

Dumbarton secured what could be a priceless three points in the battle to avoid the drop to League Two by beating Forfar 1-0 at the C&G Systems Stadium on Tuesday night (Photo - Andy Scott)

“You could take the point, and it might be a good point at the end of the season, but I just felt it was something we had to try and go for.

"So we went with a lot of attacking options and gave it a go and thankfully it paid off.

“At this stage of the season every point is vital.”

Duffy made three changes from the side that lost at Bayview against East Fife on Saturday as Ruaridh Langan and James Wallace came into the side alongside Isaac Layne – making his first appearance for the club in over a year after battling with injury on his return on loan to the club, following his move to Peterhead in the summer

Dumbarton had most of the chances in the opening period, with Morgyn Neill heading wide in the first and last minute of the half, and Wallace was looking lively as he had a powerful strike from the edge of the box held by Marc McCallum and directed a header wide.

Dumbarton secured what could be a priceless three points in the battle to avoid the drop to League Two by beating Forfar 1-0 at the C&G Systems Stadium on Tuesday night (Photo - Andy Scott)

The pick of his chances came towards the end of the half when he looked to pick up on a poor clearance and dink the ball over goalkeeper his effort just landed on the roof of the net.

At the other end, Scott Fenwick had a powerful header well saved by the legs of Sam Ramsbottom in what was the visitors best moment in front of goal.

In the second-half, chances were few and far between as an opportunity for Adam Frizzell was snuffed out and Robert Jones’ through ball was just out of reach of Wallace.

Just when it looked like Sons would have settle for a point against the bottom side, Crossan burst down the left and sent in a low cross that was well finished by Duthie into the bottom corner to spark wild scenes on the pitch.

Next up for Dumbarton is a huge clash at Broadwood against Clyde on Saturday – should that fixture go ahead – though Sons fans will also have an eye on events at Station Park on Thursday, where Forfar are due to take on the Bully Wee.

Dumbarton secured what could be a priceless three points in the battle to avoid the drop to League Two by beating Forfar 1-0 at the C&G Systems Stadium on Tuesday night (Photo - Andy Scott)

READ MORE: Click here for all the latest news headlines from throughout Dumbarton and the Vale