Saints pay high price for red card
raced from his line to clear.
It was Reilly’s first real involvement in the match, as he cut an isolated figure up front.
Minutes later, good work from Magennis teed up Stelios, who had switched to the left-hand side, to produce a teasing cross, which was nodded just over the bar by Smith at the back post.
The only real talking point of the first half came just two minutes from the break when Stelios was shown a red card by referee Andrew Dallas after appearing to catch Sam Wardrop with an elbow.
The red was to have a major bearing on the outcome of the game.
On the stroke of half time, Dumbarton substitute Roy blasted a shot well over the Saints goal.
Into the second half, and Dumbarton were looking to make the most of their one-man advantage. Tom Walsh made his way into the Saints goal, but his shot was tame and Craig Samson was able to collect with ease.
It was Dumbarton again who looked the most likely minutes later.
As they broke down the right, a fired cross was bundled just wide of Samson’s post.
Samson looked less comfortable when a shot from all of 35 yards caught him slightly by surprise and he was only able to parry the ball back into his own box to be cleared.
Chris McLaughlin, for the visitors, again tried his luck from distance, but his shot trundled into the keeper’s hands.
Despite being a man down, St Mirren still looked to get on the ball and make passes, with McGinn becoming more influential.
A surge forward from centre half Jack Baird led to a foul on the edge of the Dumbarton penalty area.
Eckersley’s effort crashed into the wall but fell nicely for Morgan, who was only able to drive his shot over the bar.
Alistair Roy then won a race with Baird as the ball looped over the Saints back line.
His shot was parried wide by Samson for the corner which was nodded over the bar.
Roy was now causing all sorts of problems and came close again just on 70 minutes.
The deadlock was finally broken and it was Dumbarton who got themselves in front. A fast break down the right side allowed Tom Walsh space and time in the St Mirren box and he picked his spot well with 10 minutes to play.
Despite throwing men forward in the closing stages, St Mirren were unable to find the equalising goal.