Arbroath player-manager Paul Sheerin knows his side is entering a critically important phase in its attempt to claw clear of the League One relegation trapdoor following Saturday’s loss to Angus neighbours Forfar.
Former Red Lichties hero Gavin Swankie grabbed two clinical goals as the visitors inflicted an eighth home defeat of the season on his former club, a result which leaves the Gayfield men three points adrift of Airdrie at the foot of the table.
Sheerin said: “We are slowly running out of games, which makes the task more and more difficult. They are all critical games now and it becomes more and more important as each one goes by.
“We have a really tough four games ahead starting with Dunfermline on Tuesday, then Brechin away on Saturday, before we have the two home games against East Fife and Airdrie.
“So it’s a tough time for everyone involved. But the boys are still showing a willingness to work hard, although we can’t keep giving teams three goal leads and hope to win games.”
Arbroath made a bright start and, with a strong wind at their backs, the Lichties hemmed Forfar back in the opening stages. But the early domination counted for nothing when the visitors took the lead with their first attack, in the 13th minute, Dale Hilson slotting the ball underneath the advancing Sandy Wood after Sheerin had been caught in possession.
Bobby Linn was causing the Loons problems at the back, however, and he came close to equalising with a stinging 18-yard drive which Rab Douglas did well to get his fingertips to and send behind for a corner.
The home side’s hopes were further dashed in an eight minute spell early in the second half when firstly Hilson turned provider, setting up a chance which Swankie gleefully converted, before the Loons captain hit the target again with a powerful curling effort from 25 yards which Wood got his hands to but couldn’t keep out.
It seemed to be all over, but Arbroath made a bold double substitution, bringing on forwards Alan Cook and Kenny Deuchar and leaving just three defenders at the back in a bold effort to salvage the game.
The switch made quick dividends with the energetic Cook lashing the ball home from close range in the 69th minute for his 10th goal of the season.
Then, with eight minutes remaining, Deuchar put Leighton McIntosh through and the on-loan Dundee striker held off a challenge from Marvin Andrews before rifling beyond Douglas into the far corner of the net.
With almost the last touch of the game Deuchar was inches away from grabbing what would have been a dramatic equaliser.
Forfar boss Dick Campbell was delighted with the result. He said: “The objective was to get three points and we’ve done that. I thought our goals were magnificent and we played reasonably.
“Arbroath came back into it, and we defended a bit too deep at times, but I don’t think they would have deserved a draw.”