Dumbarton 2 Forfar Athletic 0

The ‘Loons’ now have nine ‘cup finals’ left in the final quarter of the league campaign if they are to avoid in the first instance the end of season play-offs and the dreaded thought of relegation following another disappointing result and performance at the C&G Systems Stadium last night.

As was the case on Saturday past there was no lack of effort from the Athies squad, but a lack of creativity in the final quarter and into the bargain that elusive cutting edge was missing.

Stuart Malcolm made two changes from the East Fife defeat, Murray MacKintosh and Connor Coupe replacing Bobby Barr and Jordan Kirkpatrick in the starting line-up.

Three early yellow cards apart, there was little for the sparse midweek crowd to enthuse about until the 33^rd minute when the ‘Sons’ took the lead.

Ironically for the few ‘Loons’ fans who had made the trek west, it was Ross Forbes who was the scorer, drilling the ball low past Marc McCallum from a PJ Crossan pass.

Just prior to the half-time whistle Steven Doris brought the first save of the night from Conor Brennan in the home goal with an angled drive.

The visiting management team made two early second-half substitutions, but it was the home side who scorned an opportunity in the 54^th minute to go two up, Jai Quitongo heading just wide with the goal at his mercy.

That second and decisive goal for Jim Duffy’s men eventually arrived on the 68-minute mark.

PJ Crossan was again the provider, Quitongo making no mistake this time around with his close-range right foot strike.

Jordan Kirkpatrick then tested Brennan with a long-range effort while in the dying minutes a shot from the home side’s Joe McKee skimmed McCallum’s crossbar.

It does not get any easier for the Station Park outfit with a visit to league leaders Raith Rovers the opening fixture of the final quarter of the season on Saturday first.

Forfar line up v the ‘Sons’; - McCallum Bain, Coll, Whyte, Meechan, Irvine, MacKintosh(Leitch), Tapping, Dorris, McKenzie(Kirkpatrick), Coupe (Barr)

Subs not used – Robertson, Aitken, McGuff

Referee – Barry Cook

Yellow Card – Meechan

Crowd 364