Nicky Clark hit the decisive goal as Queen of the South overcame Dumbarton 1-0 in the first round of the Ramsdens Cup.
The away side should have taken the lead early in the second half after the ball fell to Kevin Smith in front of goal but Dumbarton goalkeeper Stephen Grindlay reacted quickly to divert his effort for a corner.
Queens went close again five minutes later through Clark but Grindlay was again equal to the effort.
Dumbarton threatened midway through the second half through James Creaney but his vicious strike was parried to safety by Lee Robinson.
The Doonhamers missed a hatful of chances before Clark struck the winner after 69 minutes, heading in a Daniel Carmichael cross high into the Dumbarton goal.
Dumbarton: Grindlay, Marr, Lithgow, Andy Graham, Creaney, Gilhaney (Johnston 73), Flening, Agnew, McDougall, Lister, Prunty (Lamont 73). Subs Not Used: Ewings, McNiff, Lyden.
Booked: Creaney.
Queen of South: Robinson, McGuffie, Durnan, Higgins, Holt, Carmichael, McKenna, Derek Young, Gibson (Lyle 79), Smith (Reilly 63), Clark. Subs Not Used: Atkinson, Mitchell, Johnston.
Booked: Higgins, McKenna.
Goals: Clark 69.
Att: 684
Ref: Gary Hilland
Doonhamers Travel Club Man of the Match - Kevin Holt
