An own goal and a red card piled on the misery for Elgin City as they crashed to Dumbarton tonight.
The 2-0 home defeat left the injury-hit Moray men 16 points adrift at the bottom of the Third Division. Defender Steven Edwards headed into his own net after 39 minutes on his first full appearance since joining Elgin on loan from Nairn County.
And after David A. Craig was sent off for two bookings, the home team were hit by a further setback when Denis McLaughlin sealed Dumbarton's win 10 minutes from the end, twisting and turning on the edge of the box before firing past City keeper Ally Ridgers.
Elgin were without several players including top scorer Kenny Wright, key stopper David Niven and influential midfielders Ross O'Donoghue and Steven MacKay for the clash. Manager Ross Jack will now be missing the services of the suspended Craig for the visit to league leaders Cowdenbeath this Saturday.
Elgin: Ridgers, Nicolson, Jack (Stephen McKenzie 88), Kaczan, David A Craig, Edwards, Shallicker (Cameron 67), Gillespie, Crooks, Campbell, David W Craig. Subs Not Used: Tweedie, McPhee, McNulty.
Sent Off: David A Craig (70). Booked: David A Craig, Kaczan, Nicolson.
Dumbarton: McGeown, Canning, Boyle, Dunlop, Gordon, Clark, McStay, Forbes, Denis McLaughlin (McLeod 85), Carcary (Chisholm 61), Murray (Brannan 90). Subs Not Used: Lennon, McEwan.
Booked: McStay.
Goals: Edwards 39 og, Denis McLaughlin 80.
Referee: C Allan
All photos courtesy of Robert Crombie, Elgin City club photographer
