Clinical Montrose inflicted Dumbarton’s first defeat of the League One season. Kane Hester’s superb sixth minute finish was the Mo’s only shot – on or off target – in the match, with Sons seeing two goals disallowed, two efforts cleared off the line and failing to find a way beyond visiting keeper Cammy Gill from any of the 15 corners they were awarded.

For the sixth time in seven league games, Sons found themselves behind – as the away side raced into an early lead. Terry Masson’s ball into the channel looked harmless enough, but Kane Hester produced a moment of magic to lift the ball over Brett Long and into the top corner of the net from a tight angle.

Sons’ response was strong, and Shiels almost found an instant reply, but bounced a header from Hilton’s corner wide of target.

A surging Gray run then put Mo defender Aidan Quinn in trouble, but he lashed clear from deep inside the box after initially scuffing the ball towards his own goal. Only some sensational defending then denied Hilton after a jinking run, with his effort beating Mo keeper Cammy Gill but being scooped off the line.

Another Gray run then saw the midfielder clip in a cross for Shiels, but he drilled inches wide of Gill’s far post. Clark was next to try his luck, as the full-back hurled himself at Hilton’s corner but saw a perfectly positioned blue shirt nod the ball off the line. Pignatiello then opened up space and crossed for Ruth to nod into an empty net – but the assistant’s flag was already up. Ruth was then left cursing his luck again minutes later as a slick move saw the forward clinically roll beyond Gill – but again the assistant’s flag was raised.

The second period saw more of the same as brave goalkeeping from Gill cut out Shiels header across the face of goal, before the former Cowdenbeath stopper made a terrific double stop to deny McGuffie and Hilton. Good play from Shiels saw him cross for Ruth, who glanced a header wide of target – before the duo combined to create another glorious chance.

Shiels pinched possession and drove in on goal before sliding Ruth clear, but he bent his shot narrowly wide with Gill at full stretch. Substitute Mumbongo was next to go close but got his header from six yards all wrong. Orsi’s introduction then saw the winger fizz two inviting balls across goal, with no takers in white and gold.

By this stage Sons had had 10 efforts on goal and 14 corners with Brett Long little more than a spectator from the sixth minute – having not had so much as a goal kick in the second-half. But any doubts over whether or not it was Sons’ day were dispelled for good deep into injury time as Brown nodded Orsi’s corner over the bar.

Report by Fraser Clarke

Pic by Phoenix Photography