Dumbarton boss Stevie Farrell was left to rue his sides missed chances on Saturday as their League Two campaign started with a 1-1 draw at Bonnyrigg Rose.
A deflected Ryan Blair effort had Sons ahead after just four minutes at New Dundas Park and whilst visiting goalkeeper Brett Long was the busier of the two goalkeepers in the first-half to keep out a succession of corners, Farrell’s side had chances of their own with the likes of Michael Ruth and James Hilton having chances blocked from promising positions.
After the break, Ruth was denied by an outstanding Paddy Martin save when he headed towards goal midway through the half and substitute Matty Shiels was sent through on goal with Martin getting a toe on his low shot to divert it wide.
Luke Mahady then found the equaliser for the home side with 81 minutes on the clock to earn them a point in the season opener.
Faz believes his troops had done enough to earn all three points but insists it’s only a matter of time until everything clicks in the final third.
Speaking to the Reporter, he said: “It was frustrating because I thought we should have had the game ended.
“The one thing we have been doing in the friendlies and the cup games is creating a lot of chances.
“We created a couple in the first half and then in the second half the goalkeeper has made a world-class save to deny Michael Ruth and Matty Shiels had a great chance.
“If one of those two goes in then the game is over, and their manager said as much, but whilst the game is still 1-0 they are still in it.
“I didn’t think we had much defending to do, apart from set pieces, and the frustrating thing is the one time they caused us a problem from open play they got their goal.
“One day we are due to give a team a doing when all the chances fall for us and we take them.
“We’re getting into wee pockets around the box and it’s just about making the right decision once we get there.”
Sons start their home campaign on Saturday when last season's Lowland League champions Spartans visit G82.
The SPFL new boys picked up a point against Clyde in their League Two debut and Faz is expecting a tough encounter as he looks to make The Rock a fortress.
He said: “Me and Frank McKeown [Assistant manager] watched them last weekend against Partick Thistle and they were very good.
“They weren’t just stuffy, they offered a threat and have picked up some good results in the league cup section and now they have picked up a solid point to start the season.
“You don’t get given any games in League Two, every one of them is different and points have to be earned.
“We made Dumbarton a hard place to come for large spells last year and we’ve got to make that home form count for us.
“If we’re going to pick up points like we did on Saturday and then win our home games we’ll give ourselves a chance of being successful.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here