CAMPBELL LAMENTS MISSED OPPORTUNITY

ARBROATH missed an opportunity to close the gap on League Two leaders Forfar but manager Dick Campbell admitted his team got out of jail.

The Lichties will be happy with a point gained from a difficult venue, though Campbell felt his team were l ucky not to concede a penalty.

Arbroath defender Colin Hamilton challenged City striker Craig Gunn as he lined up a shot on the edge of the box.

It looked a clear penalty and would have been a second yellow for Hamilton, who had already been booked, but referee Mat Northcroft waved play on to the fury of home fans.

“You can see Jim (Elgin manager Jim Weir) was very angry with the decision and I think I would have been as angry as him,” said Campbell.

The manager also felt aggrieved over the straight red shown to Ricky Little by the referee, who initially gave a foul for the challenge but did not look to further punish him.

After Elgin protests that Little had already been cautioned, Nor thcroft consulted his assistant and decided to produce a straight red for violent conduct.

Campbell felt the foul was worth no more than a second yellow, which would have ruled out a lengthy ban for the player.

“In my opinion we could have had a penalty as well,” Campbell added in reference to a challenge on Steven Doris in front of goal. “But I’ m delighted with a point.”