DUMBARTON manager Stevie Farrell hailed his squad for earning promotion to League One and insists they absolutely deserve it.

A 2-2 draw at Spartans on Friday night was enough to secure a 4-3 aggregate win after a 2-1 victory at the Rock just a few days prior.

Michael Ruth was the hero on the night for Dumbarton as he netted twice to cancel out Cammy Russell’s early opener with Blair Henderson’s late penalty setting up a nervy finale that was defended by the visitors.

Sons never found themselves behind on aggregate at any point throughout the play-offs and Farrell believes his troops got it spot on in the capital.

Speaking post match, a jubilant Faz said: “This group of players have been on a magnificent run and thoroughly deserve it.

“We’ve played four games against tough opposition – two games against League One opposition who are arguably the toughest team in the play-offs and I knew the two games against Spartans would be really difficult.

“We were excellent, we never came in and sat in. We took the game to them and after the goal our reaction was brilliant and we were unlucky not to be in front. When we got that lead I felt totally comfortable all night.

“It’s a magnificent achievement and they deserve it because I think outside of Stenhousemuir they have been the best side.”

Ruth prodded home the equaliser for Dumbarton just a couple of minutes after Russell headed the hosts in front.

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The former Aberdeen striker then put Sons in control on 53 minutes when he brought down Mark Durnan’s long-ball forward and advanced before finding the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Faz was full of praise for his striker as he made it 15-goals for the season and also believes that his skipper was influential on his sides form in recent weeks.

He said: “Big players turn up in big games and Michael Ruth is a big game player.

“He is as good as anyone in the division and he has been all season.

“Mark Durnan was magnificent as well, it’s no coincidence since he has come back the run we have been on with all of his experience and his knowledge.”

Faz was forced into the transfer market in January after losing the likes of first-team regulars Brett Long, Greig Young and Mark Durnan to injury in the first-half of the season.

20-year-old Jay Hogarth, 18-year-old Gallagher Lennon and 18-year-old Cian Newbury were all brought in on loan deals with all three playing crucial parts in helping Sons secure promotion and Farrell believes the future is bright for the trio.

He added: “Stenhousemuir, Spartans and Peterhead all brought in proven players in January and we brought in kids. That’s the position we were in as a football club but we got the right kids.

“Cian Newbury has been a standout and I’ll be amazed if he doesn’t go on and play in the Premier League. There will be a lot of suitors in him after the two games on the television.

“Gallagher Lennon is such a mature lad and plays the game that way and Jay Hogarth has grown in stature week in week out and been so insured.

“It’s very early in their fledging careers and they’ve got a promotion on CV and it doesn’t get much better than that.”