Last updated on .From the section Scottish Championship

Dumbarton's Dougie Hill scored the opening goal as his side took command of their play-off semi-final second leg

Dumbarton took a step closer towards Championship survival, after defeating Arbroath 3-2 on aggregate in their play-off semi final.

A 1-1 draw in the second leg left Arbroath facing another season in League One

Dumbarton took command of the tie when Dougie Hill's header put them in front.

Arbroath fought back, though, and equalised when Gavin Swankie's first-half header but it is Dumbarton who will face Alloa in the play-off final.

Dumbarton brought a 2-1 advantage into this second leg, but they were without their goalscorers from the midweek first leg midweek, with Craig Barr suspended and Calum Gallagher injured.

Despite a chance inside the first minute for the visitors, when Bobby Linn's header drifted off target, Dumbarton played with authority.

When Hill, who had replaced Barr in the starting line up, scored with a close-range header from a corner after just nine minutes, the home side looked comfortable and in control.

They almost extended their lead moments later, but Liam Dick's initial effort was well saved, and the then shot wide from the rebound.

Stuart Carswell and Andy Stirling also created chances, but their efforts didn't trouble Arbroath goal keeper David Hutton.

But just as Dumbarton looked on top, Arbroath suddenly sprung into life.

Linn, who scored in the first leg, tested Dumbarton goalkeeper Scott Gallacher before the danger was cleared.

But after 27 minutes, Swankie went one better. He pounced on a loose ball and coolly beat Gallacher for the equaliser.

That spurred the League One side on, and Blair Yule and Ryan Wallace weren't far away from scoring after the break.

At the other end, Tom Walsh's header forced a save from Hutton in the visitors' goal.

Dumbarton's Liam Burt should have sealed the win into injury time, he broke free, with only the keeper to beat, but somehow missed his chance.

In the end it didn't matter, Dumbarton held on and the firs leg of the final against Alloa is on Wednesday.