Chaplain guides Dumbarton towards promotion play-offs

DUMBARTON moved up to fifth place in the table and to the outskirts of the play-off pack after beating Brechin 1-0 at Glebe Park.

The first half ended goalless with the Sons going close through Dennis Wyness and Rory McAllister doing likewise for Jim Duffy's side. The Sons won the game 11 minutes into the second period when Scott Chaplain got on the end of a cross from captain Mick Dunlop to net.

McAllister tried to get his side level 20 minutes form time with a shot from the edge of the box that flashed just wide of the post, and Dumbarton held out to send Brechin to their third defeat in a row and their fans must be concerned that their favourites have gone off the boil.

Stenhousemuir eased fears of being dragged into the fight to avoid the relegation play-off spot by completing their second win of the season over Peterhead, this time by a 1-0 scoreline at Balmoor.

The Warriors got off to a great start when Robert Love scored after just three minutes from close range when he converted a cross from Scott Dalziel. John Coughlin's men had chances to add to their lead before half-time, but they were pleased to leave with all three points after Peterhead came back into the reckoning in the second period.

The match at Forthbank between Stirling Albion and Arbroath was called off yesterday afternoon because of a waterlogged surface.