Malcolm focused on positives as Loons draw a home blank

Forfar Athletic were left frustrated at a goalless opening League One encounter on Saturday.

Loons boss Stewart Malcolm admitted being pretty disappointed overall but still had a few positives to take away.

“I think the second half of the first half we had enough chances to probably go one or two up at h a l f - t i m e ,” he reflected.

“I think we should have been leading at half-time but the second half was scrappy.

“However, we had a clean sheet so there are positives there.

“We did get in great areas in the first half and we had a couple of good shots and their keeper made an unbelievable save . It was good defending by Dumbarton and they are a dogged, determined team.

“Jim Duffy’s teams are renowned for being difficult to play against.

“We are a wee bit disappointed we didn’t win the game.

“But the longer the game went on and we have not scored, we have got to make sure that we didn’t lose.

“Last year we might have maybe lost that in the last few minutes so there is definitely progression there.”

Forfar – missing the injured defensive quartet of Steven Anderson, Michael Travis, Darren Whyte and Kyle Dalling as well as former Celtic midfielder Mark Hill – were denied an early goal after only four minutes thanks to a brilliant save from keeper Ma c i e s Dabrowski.

He somehow palmed aw a y a close range volley from on-loan St Johnstone forward John Robertson.

They did have the ball in the net a couple of minutes later but Loons striker Scott Shepherd was in an offside position when he turned the ball into the Dumbarton net.

The visitors replied through their trialist striker who stung the fingers of keeper Marc McCallum with a fierce drive.

The opening quarter of the second period was a f latter affa i r, but Dumba r ton ’s Na t Wedderburn went close with a glancing header when he stole into the box.

Both sides huffed and puffed – with Forfar handing a debut to on-loan Dundee United midfielder Florent Hoti – but never really got going and the final ball was always missing.

“It is only the first game,” Malcolm said. “We have got a long, long way to go and we want to make sure we are picking up more than just draws at home, that’s for sure. But there are plenty positives.

“It is a big game next week against Falkirk but we will be going down there to try and win the game and get the three points.”

Forfar striker Scott Shepherd had a goal disallowed.