Match Report - By Steven Mew

Report by Steven Mew

City were consigned to a fifth straight one-goal defeat by fellow part timers Dumbarton at Glebe Park yesterday afternoon as Darren Dods’ men slipped further behind their rivals at the bottom end of the table.

It was a game billed as a ‘six pointer’ by many even at this early stage of the season, but unfortunately it was the Sons who gave their survival hopes a huge boost, leaving City still looking for their first win in the Championship.

Darren Dods made a couple of changes to the side that lost narrowly at Livingston last weekend. Euan Spark came in for Aron Lynas on the right hand side of defence whilst Kalvin Orsi earned a start, replacing loanee Connor McLennan upfront.

The game got off to a slow start with both sides perhaps content to keep things tight in the opening stages. It took until the 16th minute for the first real chance of the game with Calum Gallagher thrashing his shot over after the ball had fallen kindly to him on the edge of the area. Ten minutes later, full back Chris McLaughlin was next to have an effort for the Sons but his strike was deflected wide for a corner.

City were evidently struggling against a well drilled Dumbarton rearguard, superbly marshalled by ex City defender Dougie Hill. It took until the 35th minute to test Scott Gallacher in goal – Isaac Layne teed up Kalvin Orsi who saw his shot tipped wide for a corner by the Sons stopper. From the resulting corner, Sean Crighton could only head over the bar from Jordan Sinclair’s delivery.

Shortly before the break, Graeme Smith was called into action when he tipped a powerful half volley from Stuart Carswell over the bar.

The second half continued in much the same manner, with both sides cancelling each out and clear cut chances were few and far between.

Isaac Layne was next to have a go for City but his shot was straight at Gallacher. At the other end, Alistair Roy fizzed his shot right across the face of goal.

City had a good spell of pressure shortly after the hour mark. Some good work from Orsi down the left side resulted in him crossing into the box for Finn Graham but he could only head straight at the keeper.

Barely a minute later, City came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock. Liam Watt received the ball around 25 yards from goal and his curling strike beat Gallacher but cannoned off the crossbar and cleared away to safety. City kept up the pressure – some good footwork in the box by Finn Graham ended up with him shooting wide at the near post.

At the other end, Stuart Carswell had an effort from range which took a huge deflection and sailed wide of goal, with ‘Buzz’ having already dived the other way.

Ten minutes from time, Kalvin Orsi had a powerful shot which finished just inches over the crossbar. Shortly after, Graeme Smith had to be alert to palm away a volley from substitute David Wilson.

As the game entered the last minute of the 90, there was heartbreak for City as Sons netted a late winner. Chris McLaughlin’s fairly innocuous cross from the left hand side took an awkward bounce in front of WILLIE DYER, the ball bobbled off his leg and into the empty net.

There was nearly a dramatic equaliser deep into stoppage time when the ball fell in the box for Sean Crighton but the defender could only blast his effort over the bar.

Overall, City will feel this is a missed opportunity against a Sons side who were decimated with suspension and injury troubles.

City have a break from action next weekend as the scheduled match against Inverness was postponed due to them taking part in the Irn Bru Cup Quarter Finals. Next up for City is a crucial Scottish Cup 3rd round tie up at Buckie Thistle in a fortnights time.

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Dundee United 2 St Mirren 1

The Tangerines go joint top.

Falkirk 1 Dunfermline Athletic 1

Share of the spoils at the Falkirk Stadium.

Livingston 0 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 0

Stalemate at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

Morton 1 Queen of the South 2

The Doonhamers continue their recent fine form.