Stunning Carswell shot gives Sons slender lead

ALLOA ATHLETIC

0

Stuart Carswell picked a good time to score only his second career goal as the Dumbarton midfielder’s stunning firsthalf strike saw off Alloa in the first leg of the Championship play-off final.

It was a collector’s item worth the wait as the former Motherwell and St Mirren player, right, unleashed an unstoppable drive that bulged the top corner of the net after just six minutes.

Dumbarton host Alloa in Sunday’s second leg looking to secure a seventh successive season in the Championship, while Jim Goodwin’s Wasps will attempt to avoid play-off final agony for a second campaign running.

The game was only six minutes old when Carswell’s howitzer from 25 yards crashed into the top corner. The midfielder cushioned Danny Handling’s pass in a central area before rifling his effort beyond goalkeeper Neil Parry.

The Wasps refused to let that setback knock them off their stride and Jordan Kirkpatrick came agonisingly close to levelling in the 14th minute. Running on to Kevin Cawley’s flick, Kirkpatrick’s deft leftfooted strike from 20 yards was pushed on to the post by the fingertips of the outstretched Scott Gallacher.

Alloa were playing the more attractive football between the surfeit of openings at either end and Wasps striker Ross Stewart conjured up an opportunity for himself with a marauding run from his own half that culminated in his forceful drive being blocked by Gallacher. There was no let up in the action after the break. Sons midfielder Kevin Nisbet had two efforts from distance either side of a Kyle Hutton effort that flashed just wide.

But, in the main, it was the hosts who continued to press, with Iain Flannigan delivering a series of dangerous crosses from the right.

A final chance for Alloa came and went in the 83rd minute when substitute Callum Smith had a clear sight of goal but Gallacher spread himself well to keep the striker’s shot out.