Campbell Money enjoyed a great start to his days as Stenhousemuir manager, seeing his men beat Dumbarton and rise to third in the table, thanks to John Paul McBride’s second-half goal.

“You are absolutely right, it is a good start,” he enthused after, but it was down to Money’s management as much as some good second half play by Stenhousemuir.

The Warriors were deserved winners of a match played in a gale and after a poor first half played some intelligent football to secure the victory.

While dominating the first half territorially, Stenhousemuir hardly looked like scoring and too often balls forward were carried away by the strong wind. Nevertheless, Dumbarton rarely threatened and the interval score was no more than either side deserved.

Playing into the strong wind in the second half, the Stenny players did what they were told and adopted a far better game-plan for the second 45 minutes. They kept the ball on the deck and, for the most part, stopped Dumbarton from threatening.

McBride’s goal took a deflection, but it was deserved as Stenny had created the better chances and, provided they continue to work hard, can look forward to rebuilding their season.

“I thought we played well in the second half,” said Money. “I didn’t think the first half was much of a game to be honest, I think the wind spoiled it a wee bit and we certainly did not play well. But in the second half we played intelligently, we kept the ball on the ground and we passed it well and I think we deserved to win.”

q Stenhousemuir 1, Dumbarton 0

Before the game, Money had said all places were up for grabs and it was up to the players to prove their worth to the club. Some certainly did on this performance, but there is a way to go and the manager is not getting carried away.

“The effort was excellent, but it is only one game and we have a long way to go in the season,” said Money.” But if we can get that effort, allied to the ability that is clearly there in the squad, we should do well.

“Today they did what was asked on them and in my opinion they thoroughly deserved to win the game.”

But Money stressed it was ‘only one game’ and that the Warriors have much to do, starting with a different type of challenge, away at Preston in the Cup next week.

“That will be tough, it will different type of conditions from today, in terms of the surface, but we will go into it in good fettle having won our last two matches without conceding a goal,” said Money, who will be hoping for a fully fit squad for the game.

“We have John Paul McBride, Graham Connell and John Baird with injuries but hopefully they will be okay for next Saturday.”