Winger McCormack had left for Albion Rovers but incoming was full back Robert Thomson from Hearts.

Peter Taylor who had signed up after last year’s county championship final came in at centre forward and duly scored a hat trick in an impressive 4–1 win.

Although the visitors came back into the game to some extent in the second half, a Taylor hat trick contributed to a fine 6-2 win.

As well as Gordon returning, there were two new signings on show – Bob McLean (ex Newcastle United) at centre half and William Strang (ex East Stirling) at inside left.

Taylor added to his season’s total with a goal after thirty minutes and despite missing a second half penalty the final whistle sounded with Dumbarton 1-0 victors.

So after an unbeaten start, Dumbarton led the Second Division with 6 points from their three games, the same as Abercorn in second who had an inferior goal average.

A week after their league success Dumbarton returned to Millburn Park to play Vale of Leven, but this time in the first round of the Qualifying Cup.

A good match took place and after the Sons took the lead on 20 minutes, the Vale equalised on the stroke of half time.

Kane took Stevenson’s place in the half back line, while Teasdale returned to replace Strang at inside left.

An unchanged side took to the field but despite playing well found it difficult to beat the Shire defence, The visitors led by a goal at the interval but the Sons equalised five minutes into the second half.

Once again East Stirling took the lead 10 minutes from the end from a breakaway – but right on full time Hill scored to rescue a point in a 2-2 draw.

With the absence of Fraser, Taylor went into the match between the sticks and it was Vale of Leven that had the best of the play up till the interval crossing over a goal to the good.

The home side lost a full back to injury and the Sons tried everything to take advantage – having two goals disallowed for offside.

After half time, the Shire were restored to full strength, and made Dumbarton pay for their missed opportunities as they scored twice to win 2-1.

A fortnight earlier the Sons had scrambled a win in the home fixture and the pace of this game was no different with both defences being pressed by waves of attacks.

In a fast and exciting game Dumbarton took the lead in the first half and while United equalised soon after the interval, the Sons responded with a winner to take the tie 2-1.

The Coatbridge men scored in the first half against the run of play but it was not until near the final whistle that the Sons found a way past the Albion defence – the result being a 1-1 draw.

Gordon replaced the injured Thomson in defence and Robert Nisbet (ex Queens Park) started at centre forward.

The game at Boghead in October had been a walk over for the Sons but on this occasion the teams were well matched and while the Saints scored first Dumbarton levelled up matters.

The Sons were still in with a chance of the title and while Abercorn’s aspirations were gone, the leaders Ayr were on cup duty meaning that a win would put Dumbarton on top.

The game itself was a fast and exciting affair with the Sons taking the lead, then Lochee coming back to go ahead before Dumbarton finally scored two goals to gain the win by 3-2.

Matt Houston of Queens Park was slotted in at centre half while the attack was given a shuffle including Taylor replacing Brander at inside right.

In miserable conditions Dumbarton were two up by the interval from a couple of own goals, Gordon and Duncan scored in the second half for what was a comfortable 4-1 win.

Whether it was from the four ties that East Fife had played during the week to dispose of Brechin City, but the game was controlled by Dumbarton with a goal scored in each half for a 2-0 win.

On the same day the news came that Raith had finally overtaken Dumbarton at the top of the Second Division and therefore the Sons finished as runners up.

Renton began strongly and were quickly two goals to the good, although Ritchie scored from the penalty spot to reduce the arrears before half time.

Three days later Vale of Leven visited Boghead to play the final qualifying tie in the county cup competition.

On 25 April Dumbarton played their first national final for 11 years as they met Alloa Athletic at Falkirk in the decider for the inaugural Consolation Cup.

Early in the second half Ritchie dislocated his shoulder and had to leave the field and the 10 men fought on until 10 minutes from the end when Alloa scored two quick fire goals to take the trophy in a 2-0 victory.

Source:[62] In addition William Blair, Charles Grant and Harry Mitchell played their final 'first XI' games in Dumbarton colours.