Making life difficult for ourselves?

Last updated : 19 September 2011 By Fargone

bladeFrom the Sunday Mail:  STEVEN DORIS knows Arbroath are continuing to make life difficult for ­themselves – but insists the fans won’t care as long as they stay top of the table.

Doris set Kieran McAnespie up for his early opener and scored a second half header to make it 2-0.

But the Gayfield faithful were left biting their nails until Gavin Swankie’s goal made sure of the points in stoppage time after Graeme Owens’ strike had breathed life into United.

Arbroath striker Doris said: “Making life difficult for ourselves is now ­becoming a bit of a habit.  “We certainly don’t make it easy but it’s exciting for the fans if nothing else.”

Home gaffer Paul Sheerin added: “We stood up to the test when ­Airdrie came at us late on. It’s another great win.”

Airdrie trialist keeper Connor Fairley could not have asked for a worse start to the game.  The first touch for the ­Diamonds No.1 was to pick the ball out of his net after only six minutes. Sheerin teed up Doris whose cheeky flick played in ­McAnespie who smashed home the opener from 20 yards.

The goal hungry Red Lichties should have had the contest sewn up by the break as Swankie went close twice.  A 15th minute cross-cum-shot went just wide and in 26 minutes he was inches away with a fine strike from 20 yards.

The visitors upped the ante after the break and Lichties keeper Darren Hill earned his corn with brilliant stops from Nathan Blockley and Fraser Keast.

But Airdrie’s hopes of dragging ­themselves level were dashed just after the hour. Swankie whipped in a ­­corner and United’s defence stood still, allowing Doris space to head home.

The goal did not deter Airdrie who dragged themselves back in to the game within two minutes when Owens crashed home a ferocious drive from distance.

Swankie then lifted the tension when he raced cleared to slot home and secure the win in stoppage time.

Gutted Diamonds gaffer Jimmy Boyle groaned: “If we’d levelled the scores I’m sure we would have gone on to win.”