Second-half goalscorer Bobby Linn believes Saturday’s convincing victory at Ochilview will add further momentum to Arbroath’s promotion push after a fifth win in six games kept them firmly in contention for a play-off spot.
Josh Skelly’s early strike put the visitors in command against bottom-of-the-table East Stirlingshire.
Although they controlled most of the action they missed a series of chances to extend their lead, and long-haired keeper Allan Fleming was forced to make a fine one-handed save from Shire’s Andy Russell.
Finally, though, the incessant Arbroath pressure paid off as goals from Linn and substitute Sergio Cecilia Alvarez wrapped up the three points.
Linn’s direct running and quick feet posed a constant threat to the home defence.
“I felt I managed to get into the game and influence it much more in the second half,” he said.
“I think we’ve now won five and lost just one in our last six games, and going on a good run like that builds confidence in the dressing-room at a crucial point in the season.
“Some of the new boys have added a bit of freshness to the squad and the young boys have been coming on really well, too, so it’s all positive.”
Manager Todd Lumsden added: “We’ve been going really well recently, so we definitely didn’t want the game to be called off when they inspected the pitch this morning. It was good to get the game played and put another three points on the board.
“We all felt we didn’t get what we deserved in the first half of the season, when our performances were quite good but our results weren’t, but it all seems to be coming together at the right time now.”