Falkirk 1-3 Dumbarton: Sons closer to safety

TWO goals by Garry Fleming helped Dumbarton blow Falkirk away to pick up three vital points in their bid to beat the drop from the First Division.

The success moves the Sons three points ahead of Cowdenbeath and six ahead of Dunfermline and safety could be found on Saturday if they beat Airdrie and Dunfermline fail to beat the Blue Brazil.

The Sons went ahead on 19 minutes when Mark Gilhaney controlled a loose ball and cut inside Stephen Kingsley before netting a low left-foot shot past Michael McGovern.

It got even better for the visitors within two minutes when Fleming charged forward and swapped passes with Jim Lister before knocking home from eight yards out.

Falkirk pulled a goal back 12 minutes from the interval when Sean Higgins twisted and turned on the left before crossing for Lyle Taylor to deftly flick a header home via the far post.

Falkirk came within inches of equalising when Taylor fired inches wide after a lightning break and substitute David Weatherston’s free kick skimmed a post.

However, Dumbarton made it 3-1 on 64 minutes when Fleming showed them how it is done, running on to a Gilhaney through ball and beating McGovern with an angled drive.

Falkirk knew it was not going to be their night as Taylor raced through on his own only to hit his shot into the body of the advancing Grindlay.

Falkirk: McGovern, Rowan, Kingsley, Vaulks, Flynn, Flannigan, Higgins, Fulton, Taylor, Leahy (Weatherston 62), Alston (Grant 62). Subs not used: Sibbald, Dods, Bowman.

Dumbarton: Grindlay, Smith, Creaney, Graham, Lithgow, Turner, Gilhaney, Agnew, Lister, Fleming (Lamont 88), McDougall (Prunty 80). Subs not used: Lamont, Ronald, Horne, Lumsden.

Referee: J McKendrick. Attendance: 2,288