It’s a semis first for Sons

DUMBARTON cruised into uncharted territory as they reached the semi-final stage of the Challenge Cup for the first time in their history.

Raith Rovers can have few complaints, even if they played for over half an hour with 10 men after Lewis Spence’s deliberate hand ball in the box.

Tom Walsh was a constant thorn in Raith’s side and his corner in 20 minutes led to the first goal when Callum Gallagher knocked the ball down into the path of Chris McLaughlin, who fired home.

Rovers were the architects of their own downfall when a mix-up between goalkeeper Graeme Smith and centre-half Iain Davidson gifted Dumbarton a second goal after 49 minutes.

Smith hit a short pass to Davidson but he did not see Ally Roy behind him. The striker robbed the defender of the ball and raced through to net with a left-foot shot.

When Spence blocked Craig Barr’s goal-bound header with his hands on 57 minutes, referee Gavin Duncan awarded a penalty and sent off the Rovers midfielder.

Walsh’s tame spot-kick was saved by Smith.

Dumbarton manager Stevie Aitken said: ‘It’s great to get to our first semi-final in this competition.

‘We were outstanding from start to finish.’