Point up north 'a fair result'

Last updated : 05 December 2014 By Fargone

C:WindowsTempphp9FF.tmpFrom The Courier:   Arbroath manager Allan Moore felt a point was a fair result as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Elgin City at Borough Briggs.

Simon Murray gave the Red Lichties the lead before substitute Craig Gunn put the home side level.

Moore said: “It was a difficult game with the new manager appointed and the long journey. I thought that we deserved a point but nothing more.

“I don’t think that we played to the standard of football that we usually do but that was down to the fact that Elgin played well and pressed us all over the pitch.

“A draw was a fair result, I think that both teams put in a good effort but there was not much quality.”

Arbroath started well with a chance inside the first 10 minutes. A cross from Craig Johnstone met Simon Murray inside the box but his effort was blocked by Elgin goalkeeper Michael Fraser.

The home side began to come into the game more, with Shane Sutherland coming close on 16 minutes, but his heavily deflected shot came off the body of Arbroath keeper Marc McCallum.

Sutherland again caused problems for Arbroath on 27 minutes with a dangerous drive forward into the box.

Arbroath won the ball back but a slip-up from Adam Hunter allowed Mark Nicolson to take advantage but his effort was tipped wide by McCallum.

The deadlock was broken on 33 minutes when a long ball forward from Adam Hunter was picked up by Simon Murray.

The on-form striker composed himself before firing a low shot past Fraser to give Arbroath the lead.

Just seconds later Elgin almost drew level through Graeme Beveridge but his shot from just outside the box bounced off the crossbar.

Arbroath came out more comfortable in the second half and had a few good chances.

Paul McManus came close on the 68th minute but failed to get a proper touch on the dangerous cross from Scott McBride.

On the 73rd minute a ball forward from Ricky Little met McManus inside the box but his shot was straight at Fraser and proved a comfortable save.

Just minutes later Elgin equalised through substitute Craig Gunn, who had not even been on the pitch for a minute.

The striker latched on to the end of a cross from Brian Cameron to fire home from inside the box.

Arbroath nearly stole the three points in added time but Adam Hunter’s shot from outside the box was saved well by Frase