The Black and Golds beat the division’s bottom side 2-1 to open up a 19 point gap between the clubs.
Dumbarton forward Craig McGuffie forged an early chance for the visitors after cutting inside from the right, but his attempted curler flew over the bar.
At the other end, Aidan Smith also shot too high after getting on the end of Rhys Breen’s cross.
Sons’ new on-loan shotstopper Milosz Sliwinski was soon called in to action, but he comfortably gathered Paul Smith’s low drive.
It was a similar stop by Annan’s Jamie Smith after Carlo Pignatiello’s storming run ended with a tame drive straight at the Athletic ‘keeper.
In the minutes that followed, Annan were lucky to avoid going behind after being dispossessed at the back.
The ball was cut back to McGuffie on the edge of the area, but he, again, shot too high.
In the last action of the first half, Pignatiello tested Smith from close range with a powerful toe poke. The Annan goalie stood strong to deny the lively midfielder.
Athletic made a flying start to the second period and took the lead just two minutes after the restart.
Aidan Smith kept the ball alive before Tommy Muir squared it across the six-yard box for Paul Smith to sweep home underneath Sliwinski.
However, Dumbarton drew level midway through the half. After Sliwinski caught Breen’s header his side broke quickly up the pitch.
And McGuffie’s cross found an unmarked Joel Mumbongo at the back post who could not miss.
A reinvigorated Dumbarton then looked to overturn the scoreline. Kristian Webster was not too far wide with a speculative drive from no less than 35 yards.
But Annan did have a glorious opportunity to restore their lead when Wullie Gibson’s cross found an unmarked Aidan Smith who headed just over.
After this, Dumbarton again went on the attack. James Hilton’s powerful effort forced a save, and the rebound fell to Finlay Gray but his header bounced off the top of the crossbar.
Annan then won a penalty kick after the ball was adjudged to have struck the arm of Pignatiello inside the box.
Player/manager Gibson stepped up and sent the ‘keeper the wrong way to secure all three points.
