Saints did pretty much everything but score against Dumbarton this afternoon - and ended up paying the penalty for it.
Despite being on top for much of the game, Saints just couldn't find a way through, John Sutton in particular finding his luck was out in front of goal with a series of headers. Having been the dominant force, it was perhaps inevitable what was to happen next.
The nature of Dumbarton's goal midway through the second half proved particularly painful and summed up the sort of season it has been. Saints goalie Jamie Langfield was under no real pressure when he played the ball straight to Joe Thomson, the Dumbarton man squaring for Garry Fleming to tap home what proved to be the only goal, despite Sutton and Ryan Hardie both hitting the bar late on.
Sutton was back in the team at the expense of Lawrence Shankland, who dropped to the bench. There was a first ever senior start for youngster Kyle Magennis and only a second appearance of the season for fellow teenager Kyle McAllister. The fit again Gary MacKenzie started with with Kyle Hutton and Jack Baird benched.
Saints made a bright start, David Clarkson firing over after collecting Gary Irvine's early throw and Sutton heading off target from Lewis Morgan's cross. The striker was getting a lot of aerial balls to work with, heading straight at goalkeeper Alan Martin from Stephen Mallan's delivery. The midfielder had the Buddies' next chance when he let fly from 25 yards, however his shot was always bending away from goal and Martin wasn't troubled.
Saints continued to push, McAllister's ball over the top finding Morgan and the young winger switched to his right foot before shooting, Martin getting down to his near post to turn the ball behind. The corner provided another chance, Mallan finding Sutton and his header was inches past the post. The Sons defence seemed unable to deal with the big forward and it looked like he'd get the opener when Morgan provided another cross but Sutton wasn't able to get enough on it to force it home.
Dumbarton had barely threatened, Docherty shooting well over from miles out, with Saints enjoying most of the possession. Just before the break they had another chance, Martin unable to hold Magennis' shot from the edge of the box but he smothered the ball before the lurking Sutton could pounce.
Half Time: St Mirren 0-0 Dumbarton
Jamie Langfield had had little to do in the first half but that was quickly put right a few minutes after the break. A ball into the box caught the Saints defence off-guard and the unmarked Garry Fleming's header was superbly kept out by the Buddies keeper.
The response was swift as Saints quickly won a corner, McAllister exchanging passes with Clarkson before lashing a shot over. Langfield was in action again when he saved Sam Stanton's shot before the hosts really should have been in front. Morgan hung a cross up at the back post and Jason Naismith charged in unmarked only to send a thumping header into the side netting.
Saints had been well on top but, as has been the case far too often this season, were about to prove architects of their own downfall. There seemed to be no danger when Langfield collected the ball but he kicked it straight to Joe Thomson at the edge of the box. The Dumbarton man couldn't believe his luck and, after composing himself, squared for Fleming to stroke the ball into the empty net.
Instead of looking for a winner, Saints now found themselves desperately for an equaliser. Clarkson was replaced by Shankland before Sutton was denied once again, this time Martin saving his header from a corner. However, just before Ryan Hardie replaced McAllister, Fleming almost finished things off, his shot from the edge of the box finding the side netting when many Dumbarton fans thought it was in.
Sutton's day was summed up 10 minutes from time when he rose highest to meet a corner, only to see his header hit the bar with no one able to force home the rebound. The final few minutes were to prove even more agonising for Saints fans. Shankland worked himself into some space on the left and crossed for Hardie to surely snatch a point, only for the on-loan Rangers man to hit the bar from just a few yards out.
As Dumbarton scrambled the ball behind for a corner, Calum Gallagher - on for Ben Gordon - dinked a ball up for Shankland but he tamely headed at Martin and the Sons held out for the win.
Full Time: St Mirren 0-1 Dumbarton
St Mirren: Langfield, Naismith, Gordon (Gallagher, 85), MacKenzie, Irvine, Mallan, Magennis, McAllister (Hardie, 76), Clarkson (Shankland, 64), Morgan, Sutton
Subs Not Used: Gallacher, Baird, Hutton, McLear
Dumbarton: Martin, Docherty, J.Thomson, Buchanan, Fleming (Stevenson, 82), R.Thomson, Stanton, Harvie, Barr, Smith, Stirling (Todd, 80)
Subs Not Used: Ewings, Pettigrew, McCallum, Wright
Referee: John McKendrick
Assistant Referee: Sean Carr
Assistant Referee: Chris Phillips
Attendance: 2,758
Match report pictures by Allan Picken – © Allan Picken Photography.
Match Gallery Pictures by John Millar - © millarpictures
