However Danny Handling was denied by a brilliant save by David Hutton in the 14th minute as his header looked net bound.

Colin Hamilton was a whisker away from connecting to a corner that evaded everyone as the game remained goalless.

Michael McKenna got in past goalkeeper Scott Gallacher after a poor clearance by the keeper. McKenna found Wallace but his shot was just over.

Arbroath made a bright start to the second half but Dumbarton soon started to gain more possession and opened the scoring in the 55th minute.

Tom Walsh’s cross was met by Callum Gallagher who seemed to have lots of time to send a looping header into the far corner of the net.

Bobby Linn equalised in the 64th minute as he headed in from a free kick.

The Lichties were lifted by this and Blair Yule was denied by a stunning save from Gallacher before Swankie came close with a volley minutes later.

The game really opened up as Dumbarton looked to expose the space they were finding down the right wing.

Arbroath were denied by 3 goal line clearances in the space of seconds as Gallacher again denied the Lichties, with some help by his defenders.

The final 15 minutes and Dumbarton really came to life as they kept on trying to find their winger on the right hand side.

As Arbroath tried to contain their crosses it looked like they had held on but after a brilliant stop by Hutton, Craig Barr bundled the ball in the 93rd minute.

Ironically Barr was only playing because the Sons have appealed his red card at the weekend, with his appeal due later this week.

A tough blow for the Lichties, but with our away form has always been stronger and so all to play for.

C’mon the Lichties

Full Time Stats

Possession – Arbroath 54% – 46% Dumbarton
Total Shots – Arbroath 13 – 9 Dumbarton
On Target – Arbroath 4 – 2 Dumbarton
Off Target – Arbroath 7 – 5 Dumbarton
Blocked – Arbroath 2 – 2 Dumbarton
Corners – Arbroath 7 – 2 Dumbarton
Fouls Committed – Arbroath 9 – 13 Dumbarton

Arbroath

1 – David Hutton
2 – Ricky Little (c)
3 – Colin Hamilton
4 – Thomas O’Brien
5 – Scott Martin
6 – Blair Yule
7 – Bobby Linn
8 – Michael McKenna (McIntosh 79)
9 – Ryan Wallace (Hester 80)
10 – Gavin Swankie
11 – Danny Denholm (Gold 71)

Substitutes

12 – Kane Hester – 9; 80th
14 – Josh Skelly
15 – Leighton McIntosh – 8; 79th
17 – Mark Whatley
16 – Omar Kader
18 – David Gold – 11; 71st
21 – Ricky Gomes (GK)

Goal – Linn 64

Yellow Cards – Martin 62, Swankie 90+1

Dumbarton

1 – Scott Gallacher
2 – David Smith
4 – Andy Dowie (c)
55 – Craig Barr
22 – Liam Dick
6 – Stuart Carswell
14 – Kyle Hutton
25 – Andrew Stirling
10 – Tom Walsh (Burt 80)
7 – Callum Gallagher (Russell 72)
21 – Danny Handling

Substitutes

5 – Grant Gallagher
9 – Mark Stewart
19 – Jame Ewings
20 – Dimitris Froxylias
23 – Ryan Russell – 7; 72nd
24 – Kevin Nesbit
31 – Liam Burt – 10; 80th

Goals – C. Gallagher 55, Barr 90+3

Attendance – 892

Referee – Nick Walsh
Assistant Referee 1 – Paul O’Neill
Assistant Referee 2 – Gary Hilland
Fourth Official – David Munro