Written by John - OTR Saturday, 03 April 1999 00:00

Dumbarton were heading for defeat until a controversial incident inspired the team to victory. Not long into the second half, Dumbarton got a throw in on the stand side about level with penalty box. Montrose thought it was their throw but the linesman indicated that it was a Dumbarton ball and Craig Brittain went across to take the ball from the Montrose player. The next thing we saw was the Montrose player rolling about on the grass. All Brittain did was take the ball from him. While the ref was booking the bemused Brittain, Keeny Meechan decided to let his feelings know. He ran from his line to the Montrose player and it did appear that contact was made. After the ensuing melee was diffused, the ref showed the yellow card again to Brittain and after consulting with the linesman showed the red card to Meechan. It was controversial perhaps but probably correct. Meechan should know better than to run 20 yards to get involved in an incident that didn't concern him.

Following this, Dumbarton upped their game considerably and started surging forward and attacking the Montrose goal in an attempt to pull back the 1 goal lead Montrose had taken when Bruce allegedly fouled a Montrose player in the box in the first half.

In the 73rd minute, Flannery won the Sons a penalty when he was pushed in the back. Joe Robertson coolly placed it high in the left hand side. With four minutes to go, Flannery was tripped in the box by the Montrose number 5. He'd been fouling everything that moved the whole game and we had a good laugh whenhe was shown the red card for his second bookable offence. Joe Robertson tookthe penalty and stuck low into the opposite site.

Dumbarton should have scored more, but nobody could find the net. Alec Grace missed a golden opportunity when a good turn left him in acres of space. He ran in on goal but his shot was easily saved by the Montrose keeper.