Arbroath 0-0 Dumbarton (agg 1-2): Grindlay is reluctant hero for Sons

Arbroath threw everything at their opponents but a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping denied them a goal.

Grindlay said: “I had one of those days when I managed to keep out everything they threw at me but it was a great team performance.

“We knew coming to Arbroath was going to be difficult and that they would put us under pressure but the defence did a great job.”

Delighted Dumbarton boss Alan Adamson said: “It was backs to the wall and Arbroath created a lot of chances.

“However, our goalkeeper and defence were great and they ran out of ideas in the last 20 minutes.”

Arbroath started at a fast and furious pace in their attempts to cancel out Dumbarton’s 2-1 aggregate lead from the first leg.

Inside the first minute Gavin Swankie played a dangerous pass which put Liam Caddis through but Stephen Grindlay dived to smother the ball.

Then, in the third minute, Steven Doris robbed the keeper’s attempted clearance and quickly shot for goal only for Alan Lithgow to clear off the line.

On 18 minutes, Swankie’s intended cross from the right wing came back off the crossbar before being cleared by Lithgow.

Three minutes later, Caddis played a defence-splitting pass which put Doris clean through but Grindlay made a great one-handed save.

Having weathered the early storm Dumbarton nearly went ahead against the run of play on 31 minutes when Craig Dargo rounded the keeper but was forced wide. The angle became too tight and the Arbroath defence got back to sweep up the danger.

In first half stoppage time Bryan Prunty was sent clear but Darren Hill made a great save.

Arbroath created a number of chances after the break but Grindlay twice saved brilliantly from Swankie free kicks.

Gutted Arbroath boss Paul Sheerin said: “Their keeper was amazing and our finishing has let us down.

“I could not have asked for any more from these players as finishing second after winning the Third Division was a great effort.

“It is a sore one to take but we will go again and aim for a good season next time.”