A STUNNING Garry Fleming strike consigned St Mirren to another defeat at the hands of Dumbarton on Saturday.

A Keith Watson own goal and Fleming’s effort cancelled out Calum Gallagher’s early opener at The Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium.

The victory moved the Sons eight points ahead of ninth-placed Livingston with two games remaining, securing their Championship status. The part-timers have won three of their four meetings with the Buddies this season

Given what was at stake for Dumbarton, it was of little surprise they began the game the nervier of the two sides.

The Buddies duly capitalised on that tentative start when Gallagher volleyed into the bottom corner in the ninth minute.

A long throw-in from Lawrence Shankland was headed only partially clear by Frazer Wright and Gallagher, who was left unmarked on the edge of the area, made no mistake with his thumping finish.

The hosts almost levelled just a minute later but Steven Saunders’ header hit teammate Fleming on the line and trickled out of play.

Fleming had a go at getting on the score sheet himself but he pulled his volley well wide.

A driving run from Gary Irvine then saw the ball break to Stevie Mallan who shot off target after letting fly from distance.

Mallan then blasted a free-kick into the wall in the 27th minute before blazing another effort over the crossbar.

St Mirren were growing increasingly dominant and almost doubled their advantage after half an hour through Shankland, his rasping long-range attempt flew inches past the right-hand post.

Jason Naismith then went close to making it 2-0 when he connected with Mallan’s corner but his header sailed just over.

But Dumbarton managed to drag themselves back into the game five minutes before the interval. A low cross from full-back Mark Docherty spelled danger and it was Watson who inadvertently turned the ball into his own net and ensured the teams headed in for the break on level terms.

The home side went within the width of a post to taking the lead two minutes after the restart. A long clearance by Docherty sent Paul Heffernan through on goal but he was put under pressure by Watson and struck the base of the upright.

St Mirren rallied and almost went ahead themselves 60 seconds later when Shankland cracked an effort off the bar.

However, it was Stevie Aitken’s men who took the lead and they did so in spectacular fashion through Fleming in the 53rd minute. The Dumbarton-born striker powered a right-footed half-volley into the top corner to send the home crowd into raptures.

Last man Gregor Buchanan got a toe on another strike from Gallagher which was destined for the back of the net to make sure his side stayed in the lead with 20 minutes remaining.

Gallagher then got his timing all wrong when he tried for his and St Mirren’s second, slicing a half volley way off target.

St Mirren scuppered a few more half-chances as they tried in vain for an equaliser in the final quarter of an hour but Dumbarton held on for a vital three points.

Dumbarton: Ewings, Docherty, Saunders, Buchanan, Fleming, Barr, Routledge, Lindsay (Gallagher), Heffernan (Nade), Wright, Walsh (Waters).

Unused substitutes: Brown, Taggart, Cawley, McCallum.

St Mirren: Langfield, Naismith, Watson, Webster, Naismith, Gallagher (Thompson), Quinn, Mallan, Clarkson (Morgan), Shankland, Cooper (Stewart). Unused subs: Willison, Goodwin, Baird, Carswell.

Referee: Kevin Graham

Attendance: 1,387.