Dumbarton 0 Forfar Athletic 1

The ‘Loons’ recorded a hard-fought single goal success on their return to competitive action at the C&G Systems Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The three-point haul saw Stuart Malcolm’s side move above Clyde at the foot of the League One table and also move within two points of the ‘Sons’ who occupy the eighth spot in the table.

To be fair the only goal of the contest in the 57^th minute was to say the least a bizarre affair.

Home custodian Sam Ramsbottam ‘s attempted clearance cannoned off the rear end of defender Ryan McGeever before looping back over the stranded keeper and tricking over the goal line.

After a fairly turgid and even first period which came to a conclusion with Martin Scott rattling the woodwork, the Athies undoubtedly had the better of the second half, but could not add to their goal tally, Ross Forbes almost haunting his former club when he passed up a late chance to snatch an equaliser for the home side.

All six debutants in Stuart Malcolm’s starting line up played their part in success on the day and thankfully in a week when many League One clubs have a midweek Scottish Cup commitment to fulfil, the ‘Loons’ can get another couple of vital training stints under their belts before the visit of league leaders Falkirk next Saturday to Station Park.

Forfar lined up at Dumbarton;-McCallum, Nditi (Holmes), Coll, Meechan, Munro, Irvine, MacKintosh, Moore, Anderson (Allan), Scott, Northcott (Shepherd)  Subs not used – Thomson, Dalling, Scally, Antoniazzi, Hoban