BRETT'S FURY ROWN AT REFEREE’S PENALTY CALL
A STUNNING second-half display by Dumbarton keeper Brett Long helped the league leaders secure a point after a hard-fought 90 minutes at Bonnyrigg.
The share of the spoils extended Stevie Farrell’s side’s unbeaten run to an impressive eight games in all competitions.
“We’ll take a point from that” said Long. “This is a hard place to come to and other teams have struggled to win here.”
The home side had taken the lead when Long conceded a controversial penalty in the final minute of the first half after having been adjudged by referee Calum Scott to have hauled down Bonnyrigg frontman Bradley Barrett with Neil Martyniuk driving home the spot-kick.
But Long said: “It was never a penalty. I got the ball 100 per cent and I think the referee was the only person in the stadium who felt it was a foul.
“Even some of the Bonnyrigg players said to me afterwards it shouldn’t have been given but when things like that go against you, it’s a case of taking it on the chin and moving on.”
The visitors equalised in bizarre circumstances on the hour when a harmless looking cross from Edin Lynch slipped out of the hands of Rose keeper Michael Andrews before rebounding off defender Josh Grigor and trickling over the line for an unfortunate own goal.
Bonnyrigg, who haven’t won since October, looked the more likely team to emerge victorious as they pushed for a late winner but some fine saves from Long, allied to a solid performance from his defensive colleagues ensured a point for the promotion hunting Sons.
“We’re now four points clear at the top” said Long, who joined the club from Peterhead in the summer, “and there’s no doubt that the unbeaten run is helping build confidence within the squad but nobody’s getting carried away.
“It’s very much a case of one game at a time, work hard in training and focus on ourselves.”
Elsewhere, Ben Armour scored the only goal as Forfar picked up their first win under new boss Ray McKinnon, edging out Albion Rovers.
Stranraer came from a goal down to beat Stirling Albion 3-1.
Kane Hester hit his 22nd goal of the season after Elgin won 2-1 at home to Stenhousemuir.
Tony Wallace scored twice as Annan won 3-1 on the road at East Fife.