Dumbarton 2
Peterhead 3
Manager Jim McInally’s advice to concentrate on what Peterhead had as opposed to what Peterhead was missing proved to be right as the Blue Toon enjoyed a 3-2 win at Dumbarton.
Despite falling behind twice to goals from Andy Geggan and then Connor Duthie, a goal from Josh Mulligan was added to by a double from Russell McLean to take all three points north.
McInally’s squad was seven players light due to injuries however the Balmoor boss reshaped his side into a 4-3-3 formation with Brett Long in goal, a back four of Mulligan, Jason Brown, Andy McDonald and Flynn Duffy, a midfield of Grant Savoury, Scott Brown and Hamish Ritchie with Niah Payne, McLean and Lyall Cameron tasked with taking the game to the hosts
With the Moreroom.com Stadium wrapped in mist Peterhead started brightly and Ritchie had a shot at the home goal blocked with a Savoury effort suffering the same fate on four minutes.
Both sides forced corners before Dumbarton opened the scoring on 16 minutes with a fairly simply worked goal when Joe McKee flighted over a flag-kick and Geggan nipped away from his marker to head clear.
Peterhead looked to bounce back quickly and four minutes later and McLean forced Sam Ramsbottom into a save before the Dumbarton shot-stopper raced from his line to deny Ritchie.
A leveller did arrive on 25 minutes when Ritchie teed up Mulligan to drill into the far corner for his second goal of the season against the Sons and his third in total.
McLean headed wide however any hopes that the visitors would quickly add a second and take control were dashed on 28 minutes when the hosts regained the lead with Duthie notching for the second game in a row when he turned home Sam Muir’s left-wing cross.
Parity was restored again nine minutes later with McLean very actively involved in bringing his side level. The towering striker was clipped by Ramsbottom as he burst towards the home goal with referee George Calder pointing to the spot.
McLean took the spot-kick and whilst Ramsbottom saved his effort from 12 yards the front-man was alert enough to follow up and tap in the rebound.
Kalvin Orsi fired a half-chance that would have put Dumbarton ahead for a third time before half-time wide with the first 45 minutes ending at two apiece.
Four minutes into the restart it looked like the McKee and Geggan combination had produced another goal however an offside call quickly ended home celebrations.
Peterhead’s belief that the three points were there for the taking began to grow and Cameron was unlucky with a drive just before the hour mark with McLean heading over just after it.
The Blue Toon were starting to dominate and they got their noses in front for the first time midway through the second 45 minutes after forcing a series of corners.
Savoury’s delivery from wide was perfect for McLean to rise and nod home what was his tenth goal of the season.
Dumbarton responded to going behind by bringing on Ryan Schiavone for Orsi with Sons midfielder Carlo Pignatiello sending an effort flashing wide shortly afterwards.
The visiting defence was standing strong to home attempts and getting level with the visiting attack carving out chances for Cameron and McLean however a fourth goal did not arrive.
Jordon Brown and Derek Lyle joined Danny Strachan in coming off the bench in the closing stages with Peterhead seeing the game out to pick up their second away success of the season.
Peterhead – Long, Mulligan, Jason Brown, McDonald, Duffy (Strachan 83), Savoury, Cameron, S Brown, Ritchie (Jordon Brown 90), McLean, Payne (Lyle 90)
Unused substitutes – Wilson (G/k)
