Stirling Albion lost 2-1 with Dumbarton in the first leg of the League One play-off semi-final.
The first goal of the game would come for Dumbarton in the 13th minute, after a quick break through the Binos midfield gave them the lead. Stirling would equalise in the 27th minute through a clever move from Dale Hilson. But the Sons would score a penalty in the 85th minute to give them the advantage going into the second leg on Saturday.
Darren Young made two changes to the line-up from last week’s loss against Annan Athletic, with Josh Cooper and Ross McGeachie coming in for Jack Leitch and Adam Cummins.
A lobbed ball through to Dale Hilson in the 5th minute on Stirling’s left wing saw him cut inside and try to chip the keeper. His attempt didn’t have enough power on it and Jay Hogarth was able to jump up and grab the ball comfortably.
Dumbarton would take the lead in the 13th minute with their first chance of the game. As the Binos were launching long balls up the pitch, James Pignatiello stole possession, and cut through the Binos midfield. A well-placed cross from Kalvin Orsi meant that James Hilton could nod it into the net at Mark Weirs far post.
The Binos looked to finally break the Dumbarton defence, as a chipped through ball found Dale Carrick nicely but couldn’t find his footing and fell before he could put his laces through it toward goal.
With 27 minutes played, the equaliser would come for the Binos. Cameron Clark found Dale Hilson in behind Dumbarton’s defence as he received the ball well and cut back, before striking at goal, with the ball going just out of reach of the diving Jay Hogarth and hitting the bottom left corner of the net.
A well-placed ball into the middle of the Dumbarton box from Josh McPake was found by Kyle Banner who rattled the ball toward goal. A last-ditch tackle from the Sons defence meant that the attempt was deflected away from danger.
Dumbarton finished the half on a high. They had several shots on goal, with Ross McGeachie putting his body on the line, sliding twice to block shots which were bound for goal, a goal line clearance from Jordan McGregor kept the scores level going into the half.
Half-Time: 1-1
Josh McPake had Stirling’s first chance of the second half. A free kick on the edge of the box was fired at goal, but hit off the Dumbarton wall and went on to the roof of the net.
Much of the game then became contested in the midfield, with both teams remaining cautious, as they both knew that the next goal would most likely be decisive going into the next leg on Saturday.
Dumbarton nearly got back in front through James Hilton in the 69th minute, as a cross in from Gallagher Lennon found him on the edge of the box and let loose at goal. The shot would go wide of the right post.
Dumbarton were awarded a penalty on the 83rd minute after David Wilson was fouled by Paul McLean inside the box. Tony Wallace stepped up to the spot and put it to Mark Weirs left-hand side as he dived right, restoring the hosts lead.
Finlay Grey had the chance to put the Sons out of sight as he received the ball in the middle of the Binos box unopposed, but his shot was rocketed over the bar.
Despite a goalmouth scramble and a short free kick which saw Rudi Molotnikov have a pop at goal, the game ended 2-1 to Dumbarton, with Stirling facing a real challenge in the return leg on Saturday at Forthbank.
Full-Time: 2-1
Dumbarton: Hogarth, Newbury, Lennon, Ruth, Gray, Hilton, Pignatiello, Wallace, Orsi (Graham 83’), Crighton, Durnan
Unused Subs: O’Neil, Lynas,, Wilson, Healy, Kelly, Blair, Malcolm, Wilson
Stirling Albion: M. Weir, McGeachie, Clark, McLean, McGregor, Carrick (Spence 68’), Banner, McPake, Cooper (Milne 77’), Hilson (Offord 77’), Crane (Molotnikov 85’)
Unused Subs: Currie, Cummins, A. Weir
