Dumbarton 2-1 Stirling Albion - Advantage Sons in tense playoff clash

Tony Wallace’s late penalty gave Dumbarton a first leg advantage in a pulsating playoff clash with Stirling Albion at The Rock.

The attacker’s 15th of the season proved the distance between the sides after a fiercely competitive 90 minutes, which saw Sons take an early lead through Jinky Hilton - only for Dale Hilson to level for the visitors midway through the half.

And boss Stevie Farrell was keen to stress that it was only half-time for his side, with the scene set for a powderkeg 90 minutes at Forthbank on Saturday.

The gaffer said: “We’re pleased to win the game and I thought over the piece we deserved to win. But ultimately it’s only half-time.

“I’m sure Stirling Albion will be saying that, and I would’ve been saying it if we’d been a goal behind. There’s nothing in it.

“It was two fairly evenly matched teams. We’ve come out on top, but it means nothing for Saturday. We’ll have to be at our best to finish the job at Forthbank.

“If we’re going to be successful on Saturday then we’ll need to be just like we were tonight. We have to be brave and we have to have moments that go our way.”

After rotating his squad heavily for the final day of the season defeat to Peterhead, boss Farrell had a full strength lineup available for a warm evening at The Rock.

And after suffering semi-final heartbreak in each of the previous two seasons, Sons started the game like a side with a point to prove.

Jinky Hilton looped an early effort into the arms of Binos keeper Mark Weir in the first opening of note, before a slick move saw Sons take a 12th minute lead.

Carlo Pignatiello picked up a loose pass and drove into space, before sending cousin Kalvin Orsi free down the right wing.

The winger burst beyond a challenge before delivering a