Play then became a bit ‘rough’ and through a free kick Abercorn brought the score level again. The 10 men continued the pressure and in the process of scoring their third goal the Abercorn scorer was severely injured and had to be carried from the field Despite the handicap of playing with only 9 men, the home team secured a 3-2 win. On 21 December, it was a home game against Partick Thistle, McMillan and Bell were missing from the Sons line up. Galbraith scored his second goal in successive games within minutes to put the home side one up and Goodwin also scored but this time it was into his own goal leaving the half time score at 1-1. Partick went ahead early in the second half but a last minute goal from Mair rescued a 2-2 draw. The final game of 1889 saw a local derby against Renton at Boghead. Bell and McMillan returned but Stewart and Fraser did not play. Dumbarton were two ahead at half time but early into the second half Renton had managed to equalise. The Sons then retook the lead only for Renton to put through just on time to make the final score 3-3. The New Year's holiday was taken up with a tour of north Scotland and Fife. The hectic schedule began with a trouncing by Forfar Athletic 0-7, but improved greatly over the next three days with wins over Our Boys Dundee (4-1), Arbroath (8-3) and Dunfermline (8-0). On 11 January, Dumbarton visited Tynecastle with a ‘scratch’ team which was missing 5 regulars. Nonetheless a McLeod double (who was playing outfield rather than his usual place between the posts) was enough to secure a 2-2 draw. Interestingly Hearts ‘scored’ a third goal which the referee allowed, but following a Dumbarton protest, the Hearts players agreed that the ball had gone over the bar, and persuaded the referee that the goal be disallowed. Following a free week, it was Kilmarnock who were visitors to Boghead. The team took on a more recognizable look but McLeod maintained his place in the attack. Bell equalised an earlier Kilmarnock goal before half time and Bell with his second half and Mair scored in the second for a final score of 3-1. The month began with a free week for Dumbarton – but not its players. Two inter-county games were played on 1 February, with McMillan; Keir; Bell and Galbraith playing against the East of Scotland and McLeod; Hannah and Lindsay playing against Refrewshire.