Dumbarton pulled themselves five points clear of the drop zone as in-form striker Iain Russell grabbed a hat-trick in a game which sizzled from start to finish.
There were only 34 seconds on the clock when the visitors opened the scoring. Jose Quitongo fed a neat pass into the box, and although Graeme Brown's shot lacked power Stephen Grindlay could not keep it out.
Russell was denied an immediate equaliser as James Evans blocked his close-range effort with his legs. The keeper then did well to keep out a drive by same player before he was finally beaten when Paul Ronald was left unmarked from a free-kick and his low cross was swept home by Russell.
Play raged from end to end, and Evans kept his side level 10 minutes after the break by pushing over a Mark Dempsie header. However, he was out of luck when he could only parry another header - this one by Eddie Annand - and Russell pounced to roll the ball into the empty net.
But the Wasps were not out of things and deservedly got back on level terms. Quitongo again was the creator, opening up the Sons' defence to allow Ross Hamilton to shoot across Grindlay from a tight angle into the far corner.
Substitute John Dillon missed a glorious opportunity for the Sons when he blasted wide after being set up by Russell, but with just minutes remaining the game finally turned the home side's way.
What induced centre-half Chris Townsley to handle a high ball inside his own area we shall never know, but it was a clear penalty. Evans looked to have gotten his team-mate out of jail as he went down low to save Craig McEwan's spot-kick ,but it was that man Russell who reacted first and slammed the winner high into the net.