DUMBARTON manager Stevie Farrell insists there is plenty of work to be done as his side took a slender 2-1 advantage into the second leg of the League One play-off semi-finals.

Goals in either half from James Hilton and Tony Wallace secured a narrow victory for the Sons over Stirling Albion ahead of the return leg at Forthbank on Saturday.

Hilton looped in a header on 12 minutes after Carlo Pignatiello and Kalvin Orsi linked up down the right-hand side before Dale Hilson cancelled that out when he cut in from the left and found the near post 15 minutes later.

The second half was a cagey affair with the hosts being awarded the opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot with five minutes remaining when James Graham was fouled and Wallace stepped up to hand his side the advantage.

Faz admits nothing has been decided yet as he urged his side to go one step further and book their spot in next weeks final.

Speaking post match, he said: “I thought at 1-0 we were really on top but Stirling played their way back into it slowly and scored with their only real chance which was disappointing but our reaction was good.

"We kept at it and got too half-time and settled the group.

“We’re pleased to win the game and over the piece we probably deserved to win the game but ultimately it’s only half time.

“I’m sure Stirling Albion will be saying the same and I would be saying the same had we been behind by one goal going into the second leg.

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“It was two fairly evenly matched teams and we’ve come out on top tonight but it means nothing for Saturday, we need to go and try and finish the job now.

“I think sometimes you can overthink these ties – if we’re going to be successful on Saturday we need to be like we were on Tuesday and be brave and have moments in the game that go our way.

"Stirling will believe they can get a goal and it will be game on again, and rightly so.”

Farrell introduced James Graham and David Wilson as second-half substitutes with the two linking up to win the penalty and whilst he refused to take credit for the changes, he hailed the players' impact on proceedings.

He explained: “Managers get slated for subs sometimes and acclaimed for others – it’s all about the players.

“We brought James on because he’s quick and lively, and defenders are tiring at that point in the game.

“And don’t underestimate David Wilson who came on and three times he made what we call the ‘De Bruyne ten’ run into that area by showing his cleverness and he’s in that area again to win the penalty.”

Sons head to Forthbank on Saturday with kick-off at 3.00pm.

If they avoid defeat, they will face either Spartans or Peterhead in a two-leg final next Tuesday at the Rock and next Friday away from home. Extra-time will be played if the aggregate scores are level after 90 minutes which could be followed by penalties if they still cant be separated.

Spartans won 2-1 in Tuesday night’s other semi-final.