Dumbarton 2-1 Stirling Albion - Advantage Sons in tense playoff clash

Tony Wallace’s late penalty gave Dumbarton a first leg advantage in a pulsating playoff clash with Stirling Albion at The Rock.

The attacker’s 15th of the season proved the difference between the sides after a fiercely competitive 90 minutes, which saw Sons take an early lead through Jinky Hilton - only for Dale Hilson to level for the visitors midway through the half.

And boss Stevie Farrell was keen to stress that it was only half-time for his side, with the scene set for a powderkeg 90 minutes at Forthbank on Saturday.

The gaffer said: “We’re pleased to win the game and I thought over the piece we deserved to win. But ultimately it’s only half-time.

“I’m sure Stirling Albion will be saying that, and I would’ve been saying it if we’d been a goal behind. There’s nothing in it.

“It was two fairly evenly matched teams. We’ve come out on top, but it means nothing for Saturday. We’ll have to be at our best to finish the job at Forthbank.

“If we’re going to be successful on Saturday then we’ll need to be just like we were tonight. We have to be brave and we have to have moments that go our way.”

After rotating his squad heavily for the final day of the season defeat to Peterhead, boss Farrell had a full strength lineup available for a warm evening at The Rock.

And after suffering semi-final heartbreak in each of the previous two seasons, Sons started the game like a side with a point to prove.

Jinky Hilton looped an early effort into the arms of Binos keeper Mark Weir in the first opening of note, before a slick move saw Sons take a 12th minute lead.

Carlo Pignatiello picked up a loose pass and drove into space, before sending cousin Kalvin Orsi free down the right wing.

The winger burst beyond a challenge before delivering a pinpoint cross for Hilton to bullet a header beyond Weir and into the net.

Orsi looked a man in the mood, and a terrific run saw him breeze beyond two red shirts before having a cross hacked clear.

Having looked shellshocked by the early setback, Darren Young’s visitors then drew level with their first meaningful attack of the game.

Despite claims for handball, Cammy Clark pass found Dale Hilson - and he cut inside before drilling a terrific low effort beyond Jay Hogarth and into the net.

That looked to give the visitors a lift, as they began to enjoy plenty of the ball in Sons’ half - but a Kyle Banner shot that was bravely charged down by Cian Newbury was as close as they came.

And it would be Sons who finished the half the stronger.

Michael Ruth’s cute flick dropped perfectly for Tony Wallace, but his volley lacked conviction and was easily held by Weir.

Another terrific Orsi run then saw the winger caught by a late Josh Cooper challenge - with referee Ross Hardie waving away furious appeals for a foul from the Sons bench.

The attack continued however, with Michael Ruth eventually getting a shot away in a packed box that was hooked off the line by Stirling’s Ross McGeachie.

Early in the second period the Binos came close as the ever-dangerous Josh McPake saw his free-kick loop up off the wall and into the roof of the net.

That was as close as either side would come until the 70th minute however, as the game became a physical midfield battle.

Gallagher Lennon’s deep cross found goalscorer Hilton, who lashed into the side netting. It would be Hilton’s final contribution before being replaced by David Wilson.

However it was Sons’ second replacement who would have a more immediate impact as, just seconds after coming on, James Graham burst beyond a collection of challenges and found Wilson in the box - with the ex-Bino upended by a mistimed Paul McLean lunge.

After a lengthy delay as Binos players protested the decision, top scorer Tony Wallace calmly sent Weir the wrong way from 12 yards.

That set the tone for a frantic final 10 minutes - which brought a host of chances at both ends.

Graham showed superb pace to burst in beyond the Binos defence and square for the onrushing Finlay Gray - but he curled narrowly off target.

Only sharp goalkeeping from Weir then denied impressive Rangers youngster Graham after another blistering run - whilst at the other end another loan Ranger, keeper Jay Hogarth, was alert to touch away a Rudi Molotnikov effort from point blank range as Sons held on.