Gregor Buchanan joked he had registered a defender’s hat-trick, as Dumbarton prepared for their top of the table clash with Stirling Albion by seeing off Stranraer.
The skipper grabbed a goal and an assist in Saturday’s 2-0 victory, with the club now one shy of matching a club record for the most clean sheets in a season.
But the big defender insisted Tuesday’s clash between the top two won’t determine who lifts silverware come May - with Dumbarton currently five points ahead, albeit with the Binos having two games in hand.
Bucky said: “We went to Stranraer and did our job. It’s a notoriously difficult place to come, especially at this stage in the season when everyone is doing their utmost to get points - wherever they are. So it was important.
“The way the lads went about their business was very good and, from a personal point-of-view, to get a goal, claim an assist and get a clean sheet was a defender’s hat-trick.
“The boys know how big the Stirling Albion match is. But at the end of the day it’s just another game. We’ve still to play them twice, so it’s not do or die.
“It’s definitely one that both teams will feel is very important. But the way we conducted ourselves on Saturday was very professional and we’re pleased with that.
“We know we’re close to equalling a club record for clean sheets which shows how strong we’ve been defensively. And that comes from all over the pitch, so it’s a massive credit to all the boys.”
Buchanan’s goal, a towering header from Joe McKee’s corner, took him to six for the season - making him the club’s top scorer so far.
He laughed: “I’ll be grabbing the ball for penalties now.
“We knew that they had gone zonal in their defence so we tried to put the ball right on top of their main zone. We knew we needed to attack the ball a bit more from the outswingers.
“Joe’s delivery was right on the money, so I knew I needed to make the most of it or he wouldn’t be happy!”
Delighted boss Stevie Farrell reiterated that tonight’s meeting with the Binos wasn’t do or die, but did liken it to an Old Firm clash.
He added: “The difficulty we have is that Stirling Albion are having as good a season as us. The two clubs are having magnificent seasons. It’s set up for a good game tonight (Tuesday). But we have 10 games left. There are still plenty of points up for grabs.
“We won’t be thinking about the last match between the sides (which Stirling Albion won 6-0 in October). No two games of football are the same and it’ll be a completely different game on Tuesday night.
“It’s two good teams and at our level it’s probably comparable to an Old Firm game.
“You have two sides going into it in really good form with not a lot between them.”
Farrell will be without David Wilson, Ryan Wallace and long-term injury absentee John Gemmell for Tuesday’s game, but hopes to welcome Stuart Carswell back to the squad.
Kick off at The Rock is 7.45pm.
