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The team was held to a 1-1 draw at home against Dumbarton this afternoon, despite creating numerous chances to secure a win. Loanee Adam Emslie scored for the second consecutive week, and with our lead intact heading into the 90th minute, it seemed his goal had secured all three points. However, a last-minute header from Dumbarton captain Mark Durnan meant the points were shared.

The manager stuck with the same lineup that narrowly lost to Queen of the South last weekend, with Fraser Fyvie returning to the bench.

Just five minutes into the match, Glass attempted a spectacular long-range effort. After picking up the ball at the halfway line and advancing to about 30 yards out, he unleashed a dipping shot that narrowly missed Long’s left-hand post.

Dumbarton then enjoyed a spell of good chances. The first came from Hilton, whose dipping effort was well-held by Suman. A defensive error while playing out from the back gifted McGuffie a chance to drive forward with the ball, but his shot whipped just wide of the top corner. Two minutes later, Orsi found Ruth inside the box, but thankfully, the striker’s header went past the post.

Cove was awarded a penalty in the 18th minute when Scully was fouled by Pignatiello as he burst into the box. Glass stepped up to take the spot-kick but dragged his effort wide of the post.

Shortly after, Adam Emslie had a deflected shot fall into the path of McGrath inside the box. The striker shaped up to shoot, but Durnan slid in to put the ball behind for a corner.

Glass sought redemption for his earlier penalty miss with a shot from the edge of the area in the 35th minute, aiming to curl it into the far corner, however, his attempt was tame, and Long easily gathered.

Just before the break, Dumbarton created another flurry of chances, the best falling to Gray, who latched onto the ball inside the penalty area and smashed it toward goal—only for Gillingham to block the dangerous strike.

The team started the second half with renewed energy. A long ball up the pitch was flicked on by McGrath to Glass, who made a clever run behind the Dumbarton defence. Declan tore in on goal and aimed to slot the ball low past Long, but the goalkeeper made a crucial save with his feet.

The score somehow remained goalless moments later. Glass fired a low, hard cross across the face of goal, giving Scully a simple tap-in at the back post, however, Pignatiello made a vital challenge to turn the ball behind for a corner.

Cove continued to push for the opener, with both Glass and Emslie testing Long from long range.

The visitors thought they had taken the lead when Ruth found the back of the net after his initial effort was stopped. However, the linesman raised his flag for offside, and the goal was disallowed.

The breakthrough finally came in the 65th minute, and it was a well-worked goal that gave us the lead. After a neat give-and-go with Connor Scully, Ryan Harrington advanced deep into Dumbarton territory before being brought down by Niang. Harrington quickly got to his feet and threaded the ball to the left wing for Grady McGrath, who fired a low cross into the box. Winger ADAM EMSLIE burst into the area and managed to scramble the ball over the line after a poor touch by Shiels.

The visitors wasted no time searching for an equaliser. Kevin Orsi struck the upright with a shot from inside the area just minutes after our breakthrough.

Glass continued to be a creative force, running onto a lofted pass over the defence, but again failing to find the net as Long saved his low effort.

Dumbarton kept pressing for the equaliser and forced Suman into a crucial save when substitute Wallace rose highest to nod the ball toward the near post. The Australian goalkeeper reacted instinctively, and the defense cleared to safety.

Ex-Cove Rangers player Matty Shiels nearly leveled the match with a powerful run down the left wing, firing a low, hard shot across goal that fortunately went wide.

As we entered stoppage time, Scully almost doubled our lead. Substitute Fraser Fyvie turned Durnan on the edge of the box before picking out our number 4 inside the penalty area. Scully aimed to smash the ball into the top corner but fired high over the bar instead.

Dumbarton won their first corner of the second half in the dying moments of the match. McGuffie delivered a cross into the heart of the six-yard box, where captain MARK DURNAN headed the ball into the far corner, denying us our first victory of the campaign.

COVE RANGERS (4-2-3-1): Suman; Darge, Doyle (c), Gillingham, Harrington; Marshall, Yule; Emslie, Glass (Gaffney 86), Scully; McGrath (Fyvie 67)

Substitutes: Demus, Murray, Ochmanski, Donaldson, Milnes

Goalscorers: Emslie (65)

Booked: Scully (81), Emslie (89)

DUMBARTON (4-3-3): Long; Pignatiello, Durnan, Miller, Shiels; Gray (Lynas 73), Hilton (Wallace 77), Niang; McGuffie, Ruth, Orsi

Substitutes: O’Neil, Blair, Clark, Grivas, Shields, Wilson, Young

Goalscorers: Durnan (90)

Booked: Orsi (81)

Referee: Colin Whyte

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