DUMBARTON boss Alan Adamson hopes he can retain his promotion- winning stars for a shot at the Irn-Bru First Division next season.

The Sons gaffer saw his side book their place in Scotland's second tier in emphatic fashion on Sunday, beating rivals Airdrie 4-1 to claim a 6-2 aggregate win in the Irn-Bru play-off final.

Former St Mirren and Partick Thistle striker Craig Dargo was the hero for the visitors, netting a brace at New Broomfield, with Mark Gilhaney and Tony Wallace also on target as Dumbarton ended their 17-year wait for a return to the First Division.

Adamson admits he was delighted for the large travelling Sons support as the Rock side earned their second promotion in three years following their Third Division title win in 2009.

And the Dumbarton boss is confident his young stars can flourish at a higher level as he begins his preparations for life in the First Division next time out.

He said: "I am delighted for the fans and delighted for the players, they are the ones that do it.

"As I keep saying to people, it is a first year team. If this team continues to improve and gel the way they have been towards the end of the season then next season you just never know.

"I will speak to the chairman and see if he can dig into his pocket.

"Being realistic, we are going to a totally different level of football.

"We will go away and have a think and see what we can do as far as bringing one or two players in.

"I would like to keep the spine of this team together because they have done really well this year and they have grown as the season has gone on."