Dick Campbell hailed Arbroath’s togetherness and spirit as they extended their unbeaten run with a comprehensive victory over Stranraer.
The two sides came into the game locked together on points but there was a sizeable gap on the day as Campbell’s men hit their rivals for six.
The win also meant Arbroath stretched their unbeaten away record in the league to 20 games.
Campbell said: “The secret is the spirit and to defend properly.
“Any team that I have ever been in charge of has had a good defence. That’s a good base to start from and you start the game well.”
It was at the other end of the park where his team did their talking though.
Tom O’Brien opened the scoring in bizarre fashion when his header from the edge of the box deceived Jamie Hamill on the line and they quickly doubled their advantage when Danny Denholm fired past Cameron Belford.
Ryan Thomson pulled one back for the hosts but Ryan McCord scored from close range and then Denholm added his second before the break when he blasted home from the edge of the box.
McCord made it five early in the second half before Scott Agnew grabbed another for the Blues.
However, it would be the visitors who finished well on top with McCord wrapping up his hat-trick from the penalty spot after David Barron brought down Colin Hamilton.
Campbell said: “What a great performance. We could have scored a lot more and in fairness to Stranraer they never gave up but we got the goals at the right times.
“We started the game really well, scored some great goals and I have no complaints.
“Anybody that scores six goals away from home – and you are looking at a team like Stranraer who won comfortably away from home last weekend – I am just absolutely delighted.
“That is 20 games undefeated now away from home.”