Dumbarton made it their best start to a league season since 1959 with an impressive victory against Annan Athletic.
Declan Byrne’s early header was added to by Finlay Gray just before half-time, with Byrne netting again early in the second-half before Gregor Buchanan rounded off the scoring two minutes from time.
However boss Stevie Farrell insisted his feet were remaining firmly planted on the ground - despite his side now sitting two points clear at the top of the table.
He said: “The clean sheet pleased me the most. That’s three in the last four games.
“We’re working really hard on our defensive shape because we know we’ve got players who, if we defend properly, give us a chance of winning games.
“I’m not bothered about 1959. I’m not bothered about 2021. All that matters is 2022.
“Nobody connected with Dumbarton is not pleased about where we are. But there’s a hell of a long way to go.
“The players are getting to understand the shape more and more. The number of goals we’ve scored is pleasing. But we aren’t getting carried away.”
In a game that was more competitive than the scoreline suggested, Sons got off to the perfect start for the second home game in succession.
With just three minutes on the clock Finlay Gray’s deep cross picked out Declan Byrne at the far post, and the striker’s clever header bounced beyond Galabankies’ keeper Greg Fleming and into the net.
Sons had a scare shortly after as Tommy Goss was tripped by Stuart Carswell as he chased a slack backpass, with the Sons man receiving a yellow card - and the Annan forward booked for waving an imaginary card in referee Barry Cook’s direction.
After a few half chances had came to nothing for the hosts, Annan looked like they had levelled.
Ex-Son Tony Wallace struck the ball goalwards from 10 yards, with Dumbarton keeper Brett Long somehow clawing the ball off the line.
It was to prove a vital moment as, having absorbed plenty of pressure, Sons doubled their lead just before half-time.
A brilliant counter attacking move eventually saw Kalvin Orsi slide in Finlay Gray, and the boyhood Son skipped beyond a challenge before curling beyond Fleming and high into the net.
Having aggravated his back injury earlier in the game however Ally Love was replaced following the goal, and the former Annan man looked to take great joy in reminding the away end of the scoreline as he left the field.
Gray could’ve had a second early in the second-half after robbing Steven Swinglehurst of possession and charging in on goal, but this time Fleming saved well from the tireless midfielder.
Former Annan man Martin McNiff then tried his luck with an ambitious effort from the edge of the area, but failed to trouble Fleming.
Dumbarton wouldn’t be denied a third goal of the afternoon for long however.
Brett Long’s drop kick was controlled superbly by Joe McKee, who exchanged passes with Kalvin Orsi before clipping in the perfect ball for Byrne to bullet a header beyond Fleming.
A lungbursting Kalvin Orsi run then saw the forward blast over, before the visitors saw two golden chances come and go.
First Brett Long saved superbly from Tony Wallace’s header, before Stuart Carswell was in the right place at the right time to hook Aidan Smith’s close range effort off the line.
As the game moved into the final 10 minutes, Stevie Farrell made a popular substitution - with trialist striker John Gemmell introduced for his first appearance in Dumbarton colours since January 2007.
There was still time for the big striker to have an impact too.
Gregg Wylde’s corner from the left found Gemmell at the far post, and he hooked the ball back across goal for Gregor Buchanan to touch into the empty net. Ensuring an almost flawless performance ended on a high.
