NILS & SPILLS
Gayfield battlers stand firm to prove point
DICK CAMPBELL hailed his stubborn Arbroath side as they dug their heels in to hold Kilmarnock and continue their play-off pursuit.
The result edges the Rugby Park side to the top of the table on goal difference but the Gayfield men can feel aggrieved not to have taken full points.
Campbell certainly believed his side did enough to win and proved that their early season run has the legs to go and go.
He said: “I’m proud of my team, they gave me everything. We had the best chances and deserved to win – it shows where we are is not a fluke.
“But let’s not get carried away. It’s still early days.”
Arbroath’s outstanding start to the season created an air of expectancy among the home faithful and, despite live TV coverage, a huge crowd were in attendance including a noisy contingent from Ayrshire.
Killie’s Brandon Haunstrup zipped a shot wide in the opening minute while Arbroath’s Ricky Little, with the notorious wind at his back, tried to catch out Zach Hemming with an audacious 60-yard free kick which sailed narrowly wide.
Joel Nouble came within a whisker of giving Arbroath the lead in 12 minutes when he crashed an effort off a post.
And just minutes later, a dazzling run from the on-loan Livi striker caused mayhem before being snubbed out.
Michael McKenna then set up James Craigen whose shot was cleared off the line by Euan Murray – but Killie were still looking dangerous and Oli Shaw headed narrowly wide from Rory McKenzie freekick.
Tom O’Brien had the first chance of the second half when he connected with a Nicky Low corner but his header sailed over while Craigen saw a shot deflected wide by Hemming.
There was some controversy in 73 minutes when another surging run into the box from Nouble ended with the forward falling to the ground but referee
Colin Steven was unimpressed. Immediately afterwards Shaw came within inches of giving Killie the lead but Derek Gaston pulled off a magnificent save.
The Lichties were belying their part-time status as they continued to force the pace going into the final 10 minutes with McKenna bursting down the right and almost finding Nouble in the middle.
McKenna had another chance in added time but he couldn’t convert.
Killie boss Tommy Wright said: “It’s a good point but we had to work hard for it. We knew how they’d play so there were no surprises. They’re in good form and we were a wee bit off it.”