Buddies break Dumbarton hoodoo to move clear at top
● Ross hails ‘terrific’ start to season after hard-fought win at club’s bogey ground
St Mirren ended the first quarter of games in the Ladbrokes Championship three points ahead in top spot after a 2-0 win at Dumbarton.
The Paisley men had never won when making the short trip over the Erskine Bridge since 1996 but they showed their intention to change that record after just two minutes, when Andy Dowie had to clear a Ross Stewart effort off the home goalline.
Former Saints goalkeeper Scott Gallacher denied Stephen Mcginn and Cammy Smith, before Gavin Reilly opened the scoring on 36 minutes when he headed in Adam Eckersley cross.
The Sons were better in the second half and were pushing for an equaliser but the wind was taken out of their sails by Paisley substitute John Sutton, who got in front of Gallacher and nodded home an Ian Mcshane cross. St Mirren manager Jack Ross said: “Traditionally this is a very difficult game for us so I am delighted to win.
“I am also pleased with how we went about getting the three points and to win seven games from nine in this league is a terrific effort from the players. It is still early and our lead is not massive but we will enjoy where we are just now.”
Dumbarton boss Stephen Aitken said: “We actually played well, particularly in the second half. We created a number of chances and there was a lot to be liked about our performance.
“The second goal in the game was going to be crucial and unfortunately St Mirren got it.”
Livingston have moved into second place after handing out a 2-0 defeat to Dundee United at the Tony Macaroni Arena.
Danny Mullen ran on to a long Alan Lithgow clearance to fire in from a tight angle on seven minutes, with the impressive Lions clinching the three points on 76 minutes when Nikolay Todorov shot home via the underside of the bar.
Dunfermline were held to a goalless draw at Queen of the South. The Doonhamers went closest to grabbing a goal in the first half with a volley from Scotland legend James Mcfadden, who was making his first start for the Dumfries men.
After the break, Callum Fordyce was denied by Pars goalkeeper Sean Murdoch, with Lee Ashcroft going close with a header for the East End Park men.
Paul Hartley’s first game in charge of Falkirk failed to produce a goal as Inverness Caledonian Thistle returned home from the Falkirk Stadium with a point.
Joe Mckee went close for the Bairns in the opening exchanges, with the visiting John Baird reminding his former club of his talents with a curling effort that flashed just wide.
In the second half, Inverness were denied a winner when Jake Mulraney’s effort following a scramble came back off the woodwork.
Brechin City remain rooted in bottom spot after losing 1-0 to Morton at Glebe Park. Goalkeeper Graeme Smith looked to be keeping out the men from Greenock until nine minutes from time when an 18-yard shot from Andy Murdoch slipped under his body and won all three points.