Dumbarton 2-2 Elgin City - Rangers loanee nets late leveller in comeback draw

James Graham’s last minute leveller stretched Dumbarton’s unbeaten run to seven games against Elgin City.

Two goals in seven first-half minutes from City’s Russell Dingwall and Ross Draper had the visitors 2-0 up inside half-an-hour at The Rock, with Michael Ruth’s 13th of the season halving the deficit before half-time.

However just as it looked like Sons would taste defeat for the first time since early March, Rangers loanee Graham tucked home a leveller - with boss Stevie Farrell pleased with the character his side showed.

The boss, who used the game to rotate his squad ahead of the playoffs beginning a week today (Tuesday) said: “I was happy with the way we played and a draw was the least we deserved. We totally dominated the second-half.

“I’m disappointed with the two goals we’ve lost. But our reaction was really good.

“I can’t remember many games where we’ve came from 2-0 down and it’s a trait we might need ahead of the next few weeks.

“I felt like the second goal was always coming in the second-half. It keeps our positive run going and it shows the character that we have.”

With their playoff spot secure, Farrell took the opportunity to rotate his squad - with top scorer Tony Wallace earning a break, and he was joined on the bench by Jinky Hilton and Aron Lynas.

Blair Malcolm and Finlay Gray earned recalls, whilst Marc Kelly made his first start since February.

The switches, which saw Carlo Pignatiello move to right-back, almost had an immediate impact as Sons passed up a golden chance to take the lead after just four minutes.

Pignatiello’s first-time cross was inch-perfect for the onrushing Michael Ruth, but he bulleted his header inches wide of the target with City keeper Thomas McHale rooted to the spot.

Marc