THE CHAMPIONSHIP

DUMBARTON grabbed a priceless victory in the battle for survival – courtesy of a player who is on loan from one of their rivals in the fight.

Lewis Vaughan got the only goal of the game against Morton after 59 minutes, getting the second goal of his loan spell from Raith Rovers.

The match was closely contested and the Greenock side made life difficult for Sons, but failed to score for the third game in a row.

Courtesy of Raith’s defeat to Falkirk, Dumbarton moved up to seventh in the Championship as the fight to stay up took more twists. The first half was lacking in clear chances until the final 10 minutes, when Lawrence Shankland hit the bar from six yards for the visitors. He had another opportunity as the ball came back into the area but Alan Martin saved his low shot.

Play moved to Morton’s goal, with Gregor Buchanan’s header hacked off the line.

After the restart, Andy Murdoch missed narrowly for Morton while Robert Thomson, who is joining Morton in the close season, flicked a header wide for Sons.

But on the hour mark, Ross McCrorie and Andy Stirling worked the ball across to Vaughan, who applied a clinical finish.

Six minutes later a Jamie Lindsay cross looked harmless only to strike the inside of the post, with Michael Tidser shooting over from the rebound.

Sam Stanton had an angled effort saved for the hosts before Morton found the net through Shankland with 15 minutes to go. However, his header was chalked off for a push on Buchanan.

Dumbarton manager Stevie Aitken – subject of a club website April Fool stating he was returning to playing – declared himself delighted with the result ahead of a vital trip to St Mirren next week.