A debut goal from Joshua Oyinsan and a stunning Gregg Wylde strike secured a vital victory for Dumbarton against fellow strugglers East Fife.
Oyinsan’s 55th minute header broke the deadlock in an end-to-end relegation clash, with Gregg Wylde’s incredible 35 yard strike 10 minutes later sealing a first home victory since September for the Sons.
And manager Stevie Farrell - who confirmed that a deal for defender Stephen Bronsky who had impressed as a trialist was close to completion - was delighted for his side.
He said: “The boys were excellent today and I thought we thoroughly deserved it.
“Our structure and shape with and without the ball was very good.
“Gregg Wylde has delivered an unbelievable ball for the goal, and then scored with an unbelievable hit.
“All over the pitch our partnerships were really good; down the right, the left, the centre-mids and the centre-backs.
“At the top end, Josh and Chucky (Ross MacLean) worked really well together. Especially given Josh has had only half a training session with the boys.
“The centre-backs were excellent. Stephen Bronsky only met the boys at 1pm today.
“It gives us a lot to build on.”
Farrell handed debuts to Kieran Wright, Josh Oyinsan and Stephen Bronsky, named as a trialist, whilst Paddy Boyle returned to the side after Covid isolation.
However before kick-off goalkeeper Wright picked up a groin injury, forcing a last minute change that saw Sam Ramsbottom handed a recall.
The first-half was played at a frantic pace, with a host of chances at both ends.
Kyle Connell was the first to threaten for the Fifers as he volleyed an effort off target from the edge of the area, before neat link-up play between Carlo Pignatiello and Conner Duthie down the right saw Pignatiello’s delivery hacked clear by the Fifers’ defence with Stuart Carswell lurking.
Debut boy Oyinsan then had his first chance, but he couldn’t quite adjust to turn the ball beyond Scott Gallacher after Ross MacLean’s dazzling run.
The chances continued to flow; Ramsbottom did well to push away a fierce Ross Davidson drive, before another tempting MacLean delivery caused chaos in the East Fife box - with Conner Duthie eventually hooking over the bar.
Carlo Pignatiello then burst down the right twice after impressive bits of skill, but both times saw his delivery hacked away by green shirts.
As the game neared half-time the visitors passed up a golden opportunity to get the vital first goal.
Kyle Connell was found in space inside the penalty area, but the Kilmarnock loanee got his finish all wrong and the chance was gone.
And Connell was made to pay for the miss as Sons took the lead 10 minutes into the second period.
Gregg Wylde’s terrific cross was perfect for Oyinsan, who did enough to squeeze his header underneath Scott Gallacher - sparking jubilation in the home end.
Dumbarton should’ve had a second shortly after as Carlo Pignatiello’s cross was too hot for Gallacher to handle, with Ross MacLean stabbing in the rebound - only to be denied by the whistle of referee Alan Newlands, for an very soft looking foul on the former Sons number one.
The hosts weren’t to be denied however, as they sealed the victory in remarkable style.
There looked little on as the ball broke to Gregg Wylde some 35 yards from goal, but the former Plymouth man marked his debut with a staggering strike that flew beyond Gallacher via his left-hand post.
East Fife attempted to hit back, and should’ve set up a nervy final few minutes when Kevin Smith tee’d up Ryan Blair in space, but his finish from the edge of the area flew harmlessly into the car park.
At the other end Paul Paton almost threatened Wylde for goal of the day, as he unleashed a blistering volley from range that Gallacher did well to claw clear.
And Carlo Pignatiello almost ended an impressive shift at right-back with a third goal in injury time, but saw his low effort deflected narrowly wide by the big keeper.
