Dumbarton start League One campaign on front foot after Cup mis-steps

Posted Sunday, August 05, 2018 by PA

Dumbarton’s bid for an immediate return to the Ladbrokes Championship began on the right foot as they saw off East Fife 2-0 in their League One opener on Saturday.

The Sons, relegated from the second tier after losing the play-off final, came into the match on the back of heavy Betfred Cup defeats to Kilmarnock and St Mirren but they found league action much more to their liking.

Captain Andy Dowie put the visitors ahead just after half-time at Bayview Stadium and Callum Gallagher added the second just before the hour.

Raith, who are considered one of Dumbarton’s main rivals for promotion, were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at Stranraer in their curtain raiser.

Liam Buchanan’s 29th-minute strike put Rovers in the ascendancy but Grant Anderson levelled after the break.

Last season’s League Two champions Montrose suffered a humbling start to the new campaign after going down 4-0 at home to Arbroath, for whom Bobby Linn struck twice including one from the penalty spot. Ryan Wallace and Kane Hester were also on the scoresheet for the visitors.

Any hopes relegated Brechin might have had that dropping down a division would bring a change of fortune were sunk as they were beaten by promoted Stenhousemuir, who played the whole of the second half with a man less following Kieran Gibbons’s red card.

Brechin picked up just four points from their 36 Championship games last season and they were left empty-handed once again on Saturday as Dougie Hill’s early own goal gave 10-man Stenny a 1-0 win.

Saturday’s other game saw Airdrie come from behind to beat Forfar 3-1 at Station Park thanks to three late goals. Ryan Conroy, Leighton Mcintosh and Joao Pereira Vitoria all netted in the last 10 minutes after Dale Hilson had put the home side ahead.