FLYING FLEMING HAPPY TO STICK WITH SAFE SONS

GARRY FLEMING completed a hat-trick of winning goals against St Mirren as Dumbarton secured Championship status for next season — and then pledged his future to the Sons. Fleming sent a 25-yard volley high into the net nine minutes into the second half as the hosts came from behind to consign Livingston to the play-offs. ‘I want to play St Mirren every week as I always score against them,’ said the Dumbarton hero. ‘It was a great team performance and I thought we deserved to win the game. The boys gave everything they had. ‘People aren’t expecting us to pick up points against full-time teams. We’ve shown this year we can compete against the full-timers and the nine points we’ve picked up against St Mirren have helped us along the way. ‘We also had two home wins against Hibernian, so we’ve proved we deserve to be in this league next season. ‘St Mirren tried to sign me last summer, but it wasn’t right for me at the time and Dumbarton are my home club. I love the club, love the supporters and decided to stay here. ‘The new manager Stevie Aitken came in, told me what his plans were and I decided to stay.’ Saints took the lead after 10 minutes with a Calum Gallagher 18-yard volley, but the Sons levelled five minutes before the interval when Keith Watson turned a Mark Docherty shot into his own net. Then up stepped Fleming to bag a fantastic winner. ‘It took a deflection out to me and just sat up nicely,’ he said. ‘I just hit it and luckily it flew into the top corner. I would say it’s probably the best goal I’ve scored.’ Out-of-contract Fleming is now hoping to secure a deal which will keep him at Dumbarton. ‘We’ve not spoken about contracts for next season,’ he added. ‘Now we’re safe, we can sit down and get things sorted. Obviously, I’m happy to stay here.’ St Mirren boss Alex Rae said: ‘The amount of time wasting Dumbarton did was embarrassing, but unfortunately the official didn’t see it.’