A good performance today by Arbroath, as the Red Lichties stay in the fight to stay in the 2nd division.
Arbroath started the brighter in the first 10-15 minutes, both only 1 decent change was created. Kevin McMullen, playing on the right of midfield, beat the full back and whipped a low cross into the box, but it flew straight out for a throw in at the other touchline, when a touch was all that was needed.
Next it was Gavin Swankie's turn to have a pop. The ball landed behind him, and he looped a shot over his head just inches wide off the right hand post. Two minutes later Stranraer scored the opener from a free kick on the edge off the box. The cross came in, and Neil Inglis dropped it straight to the feet off Kevin Gaughan who hammered it home from 3 yards out.
Arbroath equalised 20 minutes later, with a stunning Greg Millar volley. A Euan Donaldson cross was weakly headed away, and from 16 yards out Millar lashed the ball first time into the net.
Thats the way it stayed until 11 minutes after Half-Time, when Stranraer regained their lead. A cross from the left hand side was easily headed home from 4 yards out at the back post. Ten minutes later though, Greg Henslee made it equal again with a great volley to match Millar's in the first half. The ball was crossed in from the right hand side, and almost identical to Greg's, the ball was half cleared to Henner 16 yards out, and he hammered it into the back off the net.
Only 5 minutes later though, Michael Moore put Stranraer ahead for the 3rd time in the game, yet again another goal from a set piece. The Lichties didn't give up though, and 2 minutes from time got a deserved point from a Chris McLeod volley, which was almost exactly the same as Henner's, but McLeod's was very well placed right in the bottom left corner off the net.
Overall a deserved point today at Stair Park. With Dumbarton now only 2 points ahead off us, and Ayr United 5 things dont look that bad now. I think we can be confident off getting something at home to Brechin next Saturday. Bring them on!
Arbroath started the brighter in the first 10-15 minutes, both only 1 decent change was created. Kevin McMullen, playing on the right of midfield, beat the full back and whipped a low cross into the box, but it flew straight out for a throw in at the other touchline, when a touch was all that was needed.
Next it was Gavin Swankie's turn to have a pop. The ball landed behind him, and he looped a shot over his head just inches wide off the right hand post. Two minutes later Stranraer scored the opener from a free kick on the edge off the box. The cross came in, and Neil Inglis dropped it straight to the feet off Kevin Gaughan who hammered it home from 3 yards out.
Arbroath equalised 20 minutes later, with a stunning Greg Millar volley. A Euan Donaldson cross was weakly headed away, and from 16 yards out Millar lashed the ball first time into the net.
Thats the way it stayed until 11 minutes after Half-Time, when Stranraer regained their lead. A cross from the left hand side was easily headed home from 4 yards out at the back post. Ten minutes later though, Greg Henslee made it equal again with a great volley to match Millar's in the first half. The ball was crossed in from the right hand side, and almost identical to Greg's, the ball was half cleared to Henner 16 yards out, and he hammered it into the back off the net.
Only 5 minutes later though, Michael Moore put Stranraer ahead for the 3rd time in the game, yet again another goal from a set piece. The Lichties didn't give up though, and 2 minutes from time got a deserved point from a Chris McLeod volley, which was almost exactly the same as Henner's, but McLeod's was very well placed right in the bottom left corner off the net.
Overall a deserved point today at Stair Park. With Dumbarton now only 2 points ahead off us, and Ayr United 5 things dont look that bad now. I think we can be confident off getting something at home to Brechin next Saturday. Bring them on!