Dunfermline…4 Dumbarton…3
ALLAN JOHNSTON admits giving away two late penalties took the gloss off Pars’ impressive Championship bow.
On an incredible day at East End Park, a Joe Cardle hat-trick and a David Hopkirk strike had the new boys in control after Robert Thomson hit the opener for Sons and Pars’ Michael Moffat missed a spot kick.
But two penalties from Mark Docherty in stoppage time and a late red card for defender Lee Ashcroft skewed a terrific display from Pars.
Boss Johnston said: “The last few minutes took the gloss off the performance. It was a brilliant display, their keeper kept them in it.
“We could easily have scored six or seven.
“Dumbarton never looked a threat going forward so for them to score three goals is incredible. We didn’t deserve that but we have to learn.”
Pars unfurled the League One title flag before kick-off and the pre-match pyrotechnics set the tone for an explosive match, which sparked into life in 15 minutes.
Ryan Stevenson brought down Kallum Higginbotham inside the box in 15 minutes but Moffat’s penalty cannoned back off a post.
Sons then stole the lead when Thomson prodded home from Stevenson’s free-kick but the game turned around thanks to Cardle’s quick-fire double.
The winger latched on to a pass from Higginbotham in 23 minutes before finding the far corner and three minutes later turned home a cross from Ryan Williamson.
Cardle’s hat-trick was sealed just after the hour when he pounced on a lapse from Frazer Wright.
Sub Hopkirk made it four before Docherty fired penalties home in stoppage time with Ashcroft seeing red for hauling down Thomson at the second.
Sons boss Stevie Aitken said: “We re gifting teams goals and need to sort that out.”