David Hopkin slams ref for allowing Livi game to be played

Livingston manager David Hopkin blasted referee Crawford Allan's decision to allow his side's encounter at a wind-swept Dumbarton to be given the go ahead.

David Hopkin wasn't happy with conditions at Dumbarton. Pic: SNS

The pitch was passed playable after an early morning inspection before referee Allan reassessed conditions an hour before kick-off due to the strengthening wind.

And, the match was settled just ten minutes into the second half when Sons defender Mark Docherty’s in-swinging corner looped over the head of the helpless Marc McCallum and into the corner of the net.

“We spoke about postponing it in the first 15 minutes, because it was just a shambles,” Hopkin revealed. “The referee let it go but it [the wind] has turned out to be what has won the game. The referee was out before the game and said it was okay but I spoke to Stephen [Aitken Dumbarton manager] as well and we both agreed it shouldn’t have gone ahead.

“We played well in the second half and created four or five really good chances. We should’ve at least hit the target but their goalkeeper has made a couple of really good saves. I still thought we’d get something out of the game but it wasn’t to be, so I’m disappointed.”

McCallum got down well to block Kevin Cawley’s shot before on loan Rangers midfielder Tom Walsh’s cross should have been converted by Garry Fleming, but his effort trickled wide.

Sam Stanton’s neat little drag back then created space for the shot, but his effort didn’t have enough dip to trouble Jamie Ewings from 25 yards.

McCallum then denied Grant Gallagher’s fizzing volley before the Lions No.1 had to be alert to thwart Gregor Buchanan.

The decisive moment arrived ten minutes after the restart when Docherty’s corner from the right was driven into the net by the gale force winds.

The visitors pressed hard for an equaliser and despite substitute Jordyn Sheerin and Liam Buchanan both bringing out the best of Ewings, they couldn’t salvage a point.

Dumbarton: Ewings, Saunders, Wright, Buchanan, Docherty, Gallagher, Fleming, Routledge, Lindsay (Barr 79), Cawley (Taggart 72), Walsh (Heh 87). Subs: Brown, Kirkpatrick, McCallum, Waters.

Livingston: McCallum, Halkett, Cole (Neill 46), Gallagher, Kakay, Glen, Pittman (Telfer 79), Stanton, Mullen (Sheerin 46), White, Buchanan. Subs: Quinn, Neill, Gibbons, Currie, Knox, Sheerin.

Referee: C Allan.

Attendance: 760.