IAN MURRAY admits Livingston's loss was Dumbarton's gain on Saturday as the Sons ended their winless run with a crucial Championship success.

Second half goals from Garry Fleming and Mitch Megginson earned Murray's men all three points at the Energy Assets Arena as they moved four clear of their hosts and five ahead of bottom of the table Cowdenbeath.

Murray was without keeper Danny Rogers due to his international call-up to the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad while Hugh Murray and Scott Linton again missed out and striker Chris Kane was not fit enough to make his return to action.

The Sons were still able to claim a much needed triumph but it was to prove a controversial affair as the Lions were left to feel aggrieved at being denied by official Kylie McMullan.

Having taken the lead through Daniel Mullen on the half-hour mark as they made the most of a defensive blunder from the Sons, Livingston thought they had doubled their advantage just after the break.

McMullan raised her flag when Keaghan Jacobs collected Myle Hippolyte's pass and converted beyond stand-in keeper Jamie Ewings.

The call left Livi furious and their anger was compounded when Dumbarton struck twice to snatch the victory and finally end their recent barren run.

Murray's men have slipped down the second tier standings in the last few weeks as they have drawn with Cowdenbeath and Hibs and lost against Hearts, Rangers and Queen of the South.

But victory in West Lothian sees them climb to seventh place and to within just six points of a Championship play-off berth.

The Rock boss said: "Looking first half to second half, our performance was far superior in the second.

"They will feel a wee bit hard done by with the couple of half-chances and the goal that was chalked off but I thought we were stronger in the second half.

"To get the three points is a massive boost for us because we haven't won for six or seven games and it moves us up the table."