Last updated on .From the section Scottish Challenge Cup

Dimitris Froxylias' free-kick earned Dumbarton a place in the Challenge Cup final

Dimitris Froxylias's brilliant free-kick fired Dumbarton into their first-ever Challenge Cup final at the expense of The New Saints at Park Hall.

Dean Ebbe put the home side, who were aiming to be the first non-Scottish finalists, ahead when he smashed home Ryan Brobbel's drilled cross.

But Danny Handling's fine finish from outside the box brought the Sons level.

Then Froxylias rifled a long free-kick into the far corner and they held on despite late TNS pressure.

It secured Dumbarton's first appearance in a national final since 1912, when they were runners-up in the Scottish Qualifying Cup.

Stevie Aitken's side will face either Scottish Championship rivals Inverness Caledonian Thistle or Northern Irish side Crusaders in the final, with the second semi-final being played on Sunday.

The Welsh champions, who lead their league by 12 points, started well; Aeron Edwards hitting the bar in the opening minutes with a header and Simon Spender shooting over shortly afterwards.

However, after that, chances were at a premium, with the game coming to life after half-time.

Brobbel took the ball past David Smith on the right-hand side and drilled a low cross that the goalkeeper got a touch to, but it fell kindly for Ebbe to thump into the net.

Blaine Hudson forced Dumbarton goalkeeper Scott Gallacher into a brilliant one-handed save - pushing a header on to the bar - although the referee had blown for a foul regardless.

And, a minute later, it was 1-1 when TNS lost possession from their own throw-in. Kyle Hutton nipped in to steal the ball, poked it across to Handling, who curled a wonderful ball into the net from outside the area.

Then Froxylias sent the travelling support into raptures with a thundering free-kick that gave goalkeeper Paul Harrison little chance.

The Welsh Premier League side threw everything at the visitors in the final few minutes and Brobbel had a close-range header blocked by Craig Barr, but they could not find a way through.