PETERHEAD started the game brightly on a heavy pitch without creating any real chances of note. Josh Lamberty had a 25-yard free-kick whizz over the crossbar and another shot from distance comfortably saved.
The game took a dramatic twist just after the half-hour mark when Peterhead captain Stuart Taylor was shown a straight red card for a foul just inside his own half.
Maybe a harsh decision as the Dumbarton forward still had 45 yards to travel wit
h the ball to reach the Peterhead goal with a pack of defenders in hot pursuit.
This knocked the stuffing out of the Blue Toon boys and Dumbarton started to make the extra man count, scoring a goal shortly before half time to take what was a well-deserved lead.
The boys took a roasting from coach Nat Porter at the interval and took to the field for the second half with a lot to prove.
Peterhead came out fighting and chased every ball. Axell Banks was more dominant in the air at the back and Jack Walker became more comfortable having moved back into the centre half position from his usual centre midfield position.
Jamie McLachlan ran like a terrier giving the Dumbarton back players no time to settle on the ball and the midfield pressed at every opportunity. Despite this Dumbarton created a number of chances to put the tie beyond doubt with Kieran pulling of a fantastic save from a 30-yard strike at goal.
The boys kept their heads up and fought hard to get back into the game with the equaliser coming from Jamie McLachlan who finished well when one on one with the goalkeeper to beat.
On the hour mark Peterhead made a double substitution with Scott McLeod and Grant Reid making way for Paul Campbell and Aiden Ritchie.
On 68 minutes Jamie McLachlan scored his and Peterhead's second of the game, Jamie ran clear of the Dumbarton centre back who was well beaten for pace and shot across the goalkeeper finding the corner of the net to make it 2-1 Peterhead.
On 75 minutes Jamie McLachlan came off for a well-earned rest to be replaced by Jamie Buchan.
On 85 minutes Mark Robinson went on for Iain Rodger and within one minute of entering the field had the ball in the back of the net with a shot from the edge of the box.
Paul Campbell sealed the win in the dying moments with a well-taken left foot strike again from the edge of the box.
The referee blew for full-time seconds later and Peterhead took all three points with a magnificent second half performance. To score four goals in 45 minutes is not easy but to do so with ten men was a great accomplishment. Well done lads!
