Alloa 0 - 1 Dumbarton: Nish dishes up winner

ON a day of shocks elsewhere in the Scottish Cup, a victory for either of these teams would not have added to the surprises, but it was Dumbarton who booked their place in today’s quarter-final draw, harbouring dreams of yet more progress in the coveted competition.

Colin Nish. Picture: SNS

SCORER - Nish 31

As a Hibs fan and former player, Colin Nish, pictured, will be no stranger to the pain this famous old tournament can dish out but it was his 31st-minute strike that proved the difference as the Sons reached the last eight for the first time in 35 years.

“We’re delighted to be in the next round of the cup,” said Dumbarton manager Ian Murray. “It’s a huge achievement. It’s a massive chance for the players and then it’s a massive chance for myself and for (assistant) Jack Ross and the backroom team, and the fans.

“We’re hoping the draw’s kind to us and, I don’t want to be disrespectful, but teams will be wanting Albion Rovers, and then who knows what could happen further down the line?”

Dumbarton sealed victory with Nish’s 31st-minute strike. Full-back Paul McGinn’s lofted pass was superbly controlled by Scott Agnew on the apex of the six-yard box and the midfielder’s hooked ball back across goal was volleyed gleefully in by Nish.

Six minutes from half-time, the visitors should have put the tie beyond Alloa but, after being chopped down by keeper Scott Bain, on-loan St Johnstone striker Chris Kane failed to convert from the spot.

Both sides struck the woodwork after the break, Kevin Cawley’s snap-shot glancing off the upright for Alloa and Scott Linton’s 35-yard drive crashing off the crossbar for the visitors.

“The cup’s always a bonus, the priority’s always the league,” insisted new Alloa manager Barry Smith, whose side lie third-bottom in the Championship.