Dumbarton 1 Arbroath 3

Last updated : 18 October 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Dumbarton were soundly jeered from the field by those few home supporters who stayed to the end after a catalogue of errors handed all three points to bottom club Arbroath.

Despite dominating throughout, the Sons could not make their pressure pay off and remain without a home league win since the opening day.

The opening stages of this game saw Dumbarton peg the Lichties back and the visitors were indebted to goalkeeper Neil Inglis, who produced a stunning double save to deny Chris Boyle and Iain Russell from point-blank range.

But with their first shot at goal Arbroath went ahead courtesy of a gift from Ian Dobbins, who sent a weak pass-back straight to Gavin Swankie who angled a shot across Stephen Grindlay into the far corner of the net.

Inglis was on top form again, this time to turn behind a fierce Steven Bonar drive which had taken a deflection.

Arbroath doubled their lead just before the break in spectacular fashion. Kevin McMullen met a cross from the left on the edge of the box and planted a volley past the helpless Grindlay.

After the interval the play continued to flow towards Inglis, and although Russell saw a header cleared off the line the keeper was rarely troubled. He made his mark, however, with a long upfield punt which was missed by Dumbarton's dithering defenders allowing Swankie to step in and net with a lob from 25 yards. McMullen almost grabbed his own second minutes later, but Grindlay was equal to his low shot.

The home side eventually got on the scoresheet when Craig McEwan netted from the spot after a handball offence in a crowded six-yard box, but it was not enough to spoil the Lichties' day.