Ten man Livingston edged out Dumbarton in a closely fought 2-1 victory at the Strathclyde Homes Stadium, with goals from Robbie Winters and Ian Russell giving Livi the points.

The game started brightly from a Dumbarton kick off leading to an early chance being held comfortably by Livi keeper Tony Bullock.

Just 5 minutes on and Livingston were again forced into a good defensive move, with Paul Watson preventing a goal by Dumbarton’s impressive Derek Carcary.

But It wasn’t long before Livingston had their first attacking move. Bobby Barr charged up the wing and after a quick 1-2 with Winters put in a an excellent cross, with the resultant Ian Russell header saved by Sons keeper Stephen Grindlay.

Just a minute later and Livi were back under the cosh; a Carcary shot was fumbled by Bullock before going out for a corner.

Watson was again called in action on the 13th minute, saving a good move from Paul Maxwell.  This was the beginning of a good quick spell of attacking moves from the home side with a great cross just too high for the Dumbarton attackers, and Craig Barr being called into action for a last gasp tackle to deny a Sons' lead.

However the deadlock was finally broken after 25 minutes. Russell was fouled in the box prompting the Referee awarded a soft penalty much to the home support's ire.  Robbie Winters neatly slotted the ball in the bottom corner to give Livi the lead.

Dumbarton quickly responded though with a great header forcing Bullock into another save.

Into the second half and Livi almost made it two when Liam Fox put in a good cross which was headed just over by Russell.

Dumbarton were next on the attack with Bullock called to make a last gasp save with his foot, resulting in a corner for the home side just before the hour mark.

Ten minutes later, Bullock was unable to hold a fine Dumbarton strike, ricocheting off the keeper then cleared to safety by O’Byrne.  This was quickly followed by another good attacking Sons' move which was headed just over by Maxwell.

The game heated up in the 61st minute, with the second penalty award.  A Graham Wilson free kick lead quickly to a debatable foul in the box from O’Byrne, for which the defender received a second yellow card and headed furiously up the tunnel for an early bath.  Sons Scott Chaplain ably placed the ball past Bullock from the spot.

The game opened up now, with Winters putting a free kick just over the bar, quickly followed by a close shot from the home side.

But Ian Russell tied the game up for the visitors in the 77th minute.  Paul Watson took a long range free kick which was brought under control by the attacking Russell, who eventually found the back of the net after a double rebound off of Grindlay.

Livingston closed the game out well, with David Sinclair coming close from a free kick and Rafaelle Da Vita heading straight at the keeper from a Keaghan Jacobs cross.

Dumbarton: Grindlay, McManus, Nugent (McShane 82), Gordon, McStay (Chisholm 81), Geggan, McNiff, Wilson, Carcary, Campbell (Chaplain 46), Maxwell
Subs Not Used: White, Cook

Livingston: Bullock, C.Barr, Talbot, Ky.Jacobs, O'Byrne, Watson, Fox, Sinclair, Russell (Malone 78), Winters (De Vita 81), B.Barr (Kn.Jacobs 65)
Subs Not Used: McDowall, McNulty

Att: 643

Ref: N.Watters

Report by Chris Naismith