There was more Championship frustration for Dundee United this afternoon as they went down to Dumbarton at the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium.
It leaves Ray McKinnon’s team with just one point from their opening two league outings.
Following on from the opening day draw with Queen of the South, this trip west was another reminder of how tough life in the second tier is going to be.
United started on the front foot and went close when Scott Fraser shot just wide from the edge of the area.
The pressure continued and there was another close thing when Blair Spittal’s header from a Lewis Toshney cross was deflected wide.
United almost paid for not turning possession into goals when, just before the break, a Ryan Stevenson corner wasn’t cleared and Gregor Buchanan blasted the loose ball inches over from 10 yards.
Disaster struck for Ray McKinnon’s men in the 54th minute as they fell behind to a spot kick.
Ref. Gavin Duncan awarded it for a Durnan foul on Buchanan as a Stevenson corner from the right was in flight.
United protested furiously and there was a delay before Mark Docherty stepped up and drilled the ball down the middle of the goal to put the Sons one up.
After their first half dominance it was harsh on the visitors, but they had struggled to get going after the break.
There was a glimmer of hope when sub Simon Murray got a sight of goal, but he shot wide.
And a Jamie Robson volley from a Nick van der Velden cross pulled a breath-taking save from home ‘keeper Alan Martin.
Near the end the ‘keeper performed more heroics to deny Coll Donaldson and secure a shock three points for the home side.
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