Written by John - OTR Saturday, 06 March 1999 00:00

This match was ruined by referee Martindale who seemed liked he just didn't want to give decisions Dumbarton's way. This behavior was noted early in the first half when he failed to see that a ball had been deflected out by a Shire player. Everybody in the Cowshed saw and heard the deflection but somehow Martindale didn't. Luckily the standside lines had his wits about him.

It was a reasonable first half, Billy Melvin just missing a diving header being one of the chances created. Sons went behind when a cross from the right found a Paterson unmarked at the back of the six yard box and he headered it beyond Kenny Meechan. Moments later Martindale gave what I thought was a soft penalty involving Jamie Bruce. Muirhead powered into the net.

The Second half was dire. I thought we had two penalty claims. Melvin seemed to be wrestled to the ground by the Shire No 4. on two occasions. Both times, Martindale gave it the other way. The same Shire player was involved in the sending off of Joe Robertson. Both players went fairly for a 50-50 ball. The Shire player ends up lying on the deck and Robertson gets his marching orders.

Later in the half the Shire keeper made a couple of saves including a bullet header from McKinnon to preserve the away team's lead.

After the game, Ian Wallace was suspended by the Board while they investigate certain occurences.