Arbroath suffered late heartache, losing a late equaliser to draw 1-1 with Cove Rangers at Gayfield.
An early Michael McKenna header looked set to win the Lichties all three points but Blair Yule struck late on to level the scoring.
A win could have given Dick Campbell’s side some breathing room at the foot of the Championship, instead they move just one point head of Hamilton.
Courier Sport looks at the key moments from the match on the Angus coast.
Key moments
It was a fast an frenetic start to the game with both sides enjoying early opportunities.
But it was the home side got off to a dream start on five minutes through McKenna.
Bobby Linn curled in a fantastic ball to the back post and the Lichties midfielder was there to head the ball in the near post, with a little help from a Shay Logan deflection.
Just a few minutes later, Cove hit the cross bar through Gerry McDonagh.
His header rebounded off the woodwork and in to Arbroath’s six-yard box. The home defence managed to get the ball away from danger despite the best efforts of the boys in blue.
Linn carved up another excellent opportunity on 28 minutes, weaving his way past a Cove defender. The 37-year-old’s low ball looked destined to be prodded in by Kieran Shanks on the line, but Mark Reynolds was in the right place at the right time to clear.
40’ David Gold is kicked in the head in the 6 yard box with a reckless high challenge yet no penalty! Unbelievable Jeff! 1-0
— Arbroath FC (@ArbroathFC) November 12, 2022
Arbroath felt they had a strong case for a penalty on 40 minutes. David Gold got his head to a cross in the box and was subsequently taken out by a high foot by Jack Saunders.
Maroon jersey’s surrounded refereed Chris Graham after he pointed for a goal kick.
The second half started off a bit scrappy with neither side able to get the ball down and string a few passes together.
But it was Cove who felt they should have had the chance to level the scoring.
The visitors burst up the field after an Arbroath free-kick, with Blair Yule running on to a ball over the top.
The midfielder was through on goal with Gold on his heels. Just as the Cove man pulled the trigger, he looked to have been pulled back by his Lichties counterpart.
Despite Cove protests, Chris Graham was uninterested.
There was almost a controversial moment when Graham, disregarded his assistant’s offside flag on 64 minutes.
The Arbroath player stopped, expecting the free-kick but play was waved on. It resulted in Gaston getting down well to save Charlie Gilmour’s header at his far post.
The home side created precious little in the second half and looked set to see out the win. But they were made to pay when Yule fired Shay Logan’s cross in to the bottom corner.
Star man – Michael McKenna
There were slim pickings in terms of standout Arbroath players.
Michael McKenna had a decent game in the middle of the park with a battling performance.
He struck early to get Arbroath’s goal and played well in midfield.
Player ratings
Gaston 6; Oakley 7 (Fosu 6), Little 7, O’Brien 7, Hamilton 6; Gold 7, Jacobs 6 (Tait 6), McKenna 8, Allan 7 (Hoti 6) , Linn 7 (Corfe 4); Shanks 6 (Hilson 5).
Subs not used: Gill, Hancock, Isiaka.
Manager under the microscope
Dick Campbell stuck with striker Kieran Shanks after his goal last weekend.
Skipper Tam O’Brien returned to the side after a month out with a calf issue.
Midfielder Dylan Tait dropped to the bench.
Campbell made his first change on 58 minutes with Deri Corfe replacing Bobby Linn.
Scott Allan and Kieran Shanks made way on 65 minutes for Dale Hilson and Florent Hoti.
The Lichties boss made his final changes five minutes later with Daniel Fosu and Dylan Tait coming on for Marcel Oakley and Keaghan Jacobs.
Man in the middle
Chris Graham took charge of Cove’s last collapse to Hamilton a couple of weeks ago.
That was the likely topic of discussion between him and Jim McIntyre, with both speaking at length in the warm up.
And the ref’s performance would have given both managers plenty to speak about at full-time.
The home side’s main bone of contention was late in the first half with Gold clattered in the box. It looked a clear penalty, but Graham was uninterested.
Ricky Little was booked for his protests to the decision.
Early in the second half, it was Cove’s turn to be on the end of a questionable decision.
The ref gave a goal kick after it looked like Gold pulled back Yule with just Derek Gaston to beat.
Graham and his assistant didn’t cover themselves in glory on the 64th minute after an offside was flagged. The home players stopped but the ref waved play on, almost leading to a Cove equaliser.
At full-time, the refereeing team were booed off the park.
Arbroath bookings: O’Brien (34), Gold (36), Little (40), Hilson (87).
Cove bookings: McDonagh (45), Megginson (70).
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