Loy is left to regret wasted chances

GIVEN the way Dundee piled on the pressure as time ran out, it would have been no surprise had their Premiership quality led to part-timers Dumbarton crumbling at the Rock. However, in atrocious conditions on a bumpy pitch, Stephen Aitken’s men held firm to earn a replay a week tomorrow. It was a job well done, considering they were up against a strong Dark Blues side. Anyone hoping for a Cup classic was left frustrated. This was no time for fancy footwork, flicks and tricks. Dundee knew this tie was labelled a potential banana skin but, when Nick Ross hit a post and Rory Loy wasted the rebound after just five minutes, it seemed like it would only be a matter when — rather than if — for Paul Hartley’s men. But it wasn’t to be for the Dens men. Loy admitted it was hard to put on a show for their fans who travelled from Tayside. ‘We dominated and we would have progressed if we had shown more quality in the final third,’ he said. ‘The pitch wasn’t so much dangerous, but it was hard to get any quality and pass the ball well. It’s difficult to provide entertainment for the fans when it’s like that. ‘You don’t want to play too many risky passes because you might get punished if you give the ball away in certain areas. You need to take an extra touch, which gives Dumbarton the chance to get back in their shape.’ The best chance of the game came eight minutes before half-time. Kane Hemmings was played into the box and dinked the ball over onrushing Dumbarton goalkeeper Jamie Ewings. Dundee fans began to cheer as the ball seemed to be rolling into the far corner, but Mark Docherty was the Sons’ saviour when he stretched to clear the ball off the line. As well as signing the muchtravelled striker Christian Nade, Dumbarton also had on-loan Rangers winger Tom Walsh in their line-up. And the 19-year-old admitted he was knackered after the tie but is confident ahead of the replay. ‘We deserved the draw for the shift we put in, but I’ll sleep tonight,’ said Walsh. ‘I’m looking forward to the replay. We know it will be difficult at Dens. Dundee are doing well and have good players. But we showed we can compete. Who knows what can happen.’