Dumbarton 3-3 Alloa Athletic - Ruth at the double in six goal thriller

Stevie Farrell heaped praise on his Sons, as they played out a six goal thriller with Alloa at a blustery Rock.

Michael Ruth’s first of the season gave Dumbarton an early lead, only for Luke Donnelly and ex-Son Kevin Cawley to give Andy Graham’s visitors the half-time advantage.

Second-half efforts from Jinky Hilton and Ruth swung the game back in Sons’ favour, before another former Dumbarton man Scott Taggart levelled with six minutes remaining - courtesy of a huge deflection off ex-Wasp Mark Durnan.

But boss Farrell was delighted with his side’s showing against a side tipped for the League One title.

He said: “I was delighted with the full 90 minutes. People look at goals and not the performance, but I was really pleased with the way we used the ball and created chances right across the game.

“Alloa are a bit lucky with the third goal, it takes a massive deflection, but it was some game of football. And we’re showing that we’re capable of competing in League One against sides tipped to be at the top.

“This Dumbarton team will always create chances. We play right on the front foot and we created the most chances in the league last season.

“The difference going up a league is that you’re punished for making a mistake that you’d maybe get away with in League Two. And that’s the bit that we still need to understand, but we look a real threat at the top end of the pitch.”

Playing against an unpredictable and gusty wind in the first-half, Sons drew first blood after just five minutes.

A short back pass from Steven Hetherington sent Michael Ruth clean through on goal, and he got enough on his effort to squeeze it beyond PJ Morrison and into the net.

The lead lasted just four minutes.

Kane Thomson’s hanging cross caught Sons