A late penalty from Lee Sharp kept Dumbarton in the Tennents Scottish Cup and
left Motherwell pondering a barrowload of missed chances.
The Premier League side should have been at least four up by the interval but
could not convert their superiority into goals.
Dumbarton, trailing near the bottom of the table three divisions below, heaped
more pressure on Motherwell's under-fire manager Alex McLeish with a draw that
takes them to a replay at Fir Park on Tuesday night.
The Sons know that a similar performance could earn them further glory in the
fourth round.
Afterwards McLeish said: "All credit to Dumbarton - they hung on and didn't
allow us to get the second goal that would have killed off their chances. Their
keeper had a marvellous game but we had plenty of opportunities in the first
half and my players know they did not do themselves justice."
Motherwell's superiority was the difference between the sides in the first
half with wily winger Micky Weir supplying chances galore for his team-mates.
He was as surprised as the sizeable Motherwell support when chance after
chance was squandered by Irish international strike duo, Owen Coyle and Tommy
Coyne.
Ex-Dumbarton striker Coyle in particular looked off the boil and was
substituted after the break.
But fellow Fir Parker Coyne fared no better in the scoring stakes against
inspired home keeper Ken Meechan who thoroughly deserved his man-of-the-match
tag.
Meechan twice denied Coyne and Weir early on - and Steve Gow came to
Dumbarton's rescue clearing another Weir header off the line with Meechan
stranded.
The keeper made amends later tipping another Weir effort over the bar before
edging a great Robert Newman drive onto the woodwork.
Well went in front two minutes after the break when Shaun McSkimming blasted
Jamie Bruce's poor clearance high into the net.
But again Meechan came to his side's rescue with a brilliant blocking save to
deny Coyne.
Dumbarton kept battling and enjoyed their best spell in the last 20 minutes.
They levelled from the penalty spot after Sharp was bundled over by Newman.
Sharp elected to take the kick himself and gave Steve Wood no chance with a
powerful drive.
Dumbarton boss Ian Wallace had high praise for his side. He said: "There may
be stiff legs tomorrow but we'll be ready for the game on Tuesday. We carried
some luck today - but we also played well and we'll be ready for the replay."
Dumbarton: K. Meechan, Wilson, Brittain (Grace 59), Bruce, Gow,
Sharp, McCuaig (Ward 72), J. Meechan, Flannery (Glancy 89),
Mooney, McKinnon.
Booked: J. Meechan, Mooney.
Goals: Sharp 76 pen.
Motherwell: Woods, May (Philliben 84), McMillan, Newman, Martin,
Falconer, Weir, McCulloch, Coyne, McSkimming, Coyle (Arnott 72).
Subs Not Used: Ross.
Goals: McSkimming 47.
Att: 2,412
Ref: B Tait (East Kilbride).
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