The late loss of two goals saw Peterhead’s season ended in a 3-2 defeat at Dumbarton. Goals from Steven Boyd and Derek Lyle had seen the Blue Toon come from a goal behind to lead with ten minutes left however the Sons scored twice to climb up to eighth place in the table.
Manager Jim McInally made two changes to his starting line-up with goalkeeper Lenny Wilson returning to between the sticks duty in place of Joshua Rae with Andy McDonald returning from suspension to take over from Kyle Bailey who was fit enough for a place on the bench after picking up a knock at the weekend.
Goalkeeper Wilson’s evening got off to a strange start as he took the field wearing a training bid to avoid a clash with the home side’s jerseys.
After a slow start Wilson was called into action on 15 minutes when Adam Frizzell created danger at the edge of the box and fired for goal however the shot-stopper was equal to it.
Dumbarton’s Stuart Carswell was the next to try his luck however his long-distance effort sailed wide however the hosts had better luck in 21 minutes when they took the lead.
Former Rothes striker Jamie Wilson grabbed it when he slotted the ball home after Rabin Omar had put him through on a one on one basis with Wilson.
Peterhead’s first attempt on the home goal came on 28 minutes however Scott Brown’s 20 yard drive cleared the bar with Niah Payne coming close to his first Blue Toon goal four minutes later however Sons shot-stopper Sam Ramsbottom produced a fine finger-tip save.
The visitors were not to be denied and they drew level from a corner on 34 minutes when Steven Boyd nodded in following a corner.
Just before the break James Wallace had a half chance for Dumbarton however he sent his shot just over Wilson’s bar.
Ross Forbes curled a free-kick wide for Dumbarton early in the second half however it was Peterhead that grabbed the next goal.
It came on 61 minutes when Kieran Freeman and Boyd combined with on-loan Dundee youngster Freeman sending over a cross for ‘The Fox in the Box’ Derek Lyle who had only been on the park for eight minutes and he headed home from close range.
Lyle went close to grabbing a second shortly afterwards however this time his shot flashed wide of the right hand post and Hamish Ritchie also came close to doubling Peterhead’s lead however it was the Sons that scored next.
Forbes sent over a corner on 80 minutes and Morgyn Neill rose highest to nod in to tie the score again.
Dumbarton who had to win to have any chance of avoiding the relegation play-off got the goal they craved in injury time when Forbes sent over another cross and Wilson headed home.
Peterhead Wilson, Strachan, McDonald, Jason Brown (Bailey 72), Freeman, Ferry (Lyle 53), Scott Brown, Ritchie (Jordon Brown 80), McCarthy, Boyd (Cook 72), Payne (Kesson 80)
Unused substitutes – Rae, Armour, McGrath