They were just four minutes away from achieving the win that would have kept their campaign alive when the Sons' David McNaught grabbed the goal which, in all probability, means they will finish bottom of the league for the sixth successive season.

The task of catching and overtaking either Dumbarton or Forfar was largely dependent on winning this match – and the determination and urgency shown by the men in white proved they knew the score.

They got off to the perfect start, taking the lead after just 10 minutes. A Kevin McBride free-kick from wide on the right was floated in perfectly for Michael Bolocheweckyj to glance home a header at the near post.

The same combination should have provided Shire with a second goal on 23 minutes. This time a McBride corner was met by a firm header from the former Alloa man but Dumbarton's keeper, David Crawford, made an extraordinary point-blank save, tipping the ball onto the crossbar and over.

A minute later skipper Andrew Brand tried a shot from what seemed an impossible angle, wide on Shire's left, and again Crawford denied the home team, this time with a fantastic full-length dive to turn the ball round the post.

After the break Shire's Gary O'Connor had a chance to show what he could do, saving well from an Andy Geggan long-range effort.

But it was still very much a case of Shire versus Crawford, and the goalie was performing the heroics.

That said, Andy Rodgers should have extended the lead on 64 minutes when he raced clean through on goal but he shot into the side netting.

Crawford was back in action, though, 10 minutes later – saving from Brand at the near post when the Shire skipper was well-placed.

And the minder then saved his best for last. After 75 minutes McBride crossed perfectly for Scott Gibb, who was coming in at the back post.
The Irishman's header looked a goal all the way but Crawford threw himself across goal to block the effort on the line.

Then, with just four minutes left, a speculative Craig Brittain shot took a deflection off McNaught's shins and ballooned up over O'Connor's despairing dive to give Dumbarton a draw they did not deserve.

East Stirlingshire: O'Connor 7, Gibb 8, K. McBride 8, Oates 7, Bolocheweckyj 9, King 7, Donaldson 7 (Thywissen 90, 1), Brand 7, Rodgers 7 (P. McBride 84, 3), Trialist 7, Ure 7
Not used: Moffat, McKenzie, McIntyre
Booked: Ure

Referee: Alan Muir

EAST STIRLINGSHIRE 1
Bolochoweckyj 10

DUMBARTON 1
McNaught 86
(HT 1-0)
Attendance: 359