Arbroath told to brush off defeat

ARBROATH assistant boss Ian “Pink” Campbell says his side need to put an uncharacteristic performance behind them as they suffered their first league defeat in 11 games at the hands of Ayr United.

The Lichties went behind to a James Maxwell strike on 18 minutes but failed to break through the Honest Men’s defence, with the score remaining 1-0.

The on-loan Rangers forward has been credited with the goal but it could also be put down as a Ricky Little own goal with the defender knocking the ball into his own net.

For Pink, the own goal almost summed up the afternoon.

“First half we were poor and it was not like us at all,” he said. “The goal was just a shambles. “In the second half they parked themselves in the 18-yard box with eight defenders. But all credit to Ayr.

“I thought we weren’t ourselves today. I wouldn’t say they deserved it but they worked hard enough to win the game.”

Arbroath still remain top of the league; two points clear of Raith Rovers.

But that is of no comfort to Pink and his side, whose unbeaten run of games was brought to a halt.

“(Being top) doesn’t interest us. We’re disappointed by the way we played,” he said.

“Our boys are a tremendous team and set of players. We probably left too many spaces open on the pitch. It wasn’t like us.”

In the second half Arbroath threw on Nicky Low, Bobby Linn and Dale Hilson in a bid to claw back an equaliser.

Despite the constant waves of pressure, the Lichties were unable to make a breakthrough.

“We certainly should have taken a point from the game,” Pink said.

“We’ve got to lick our wounds and get back for Raith Rovers next week.”

After taking charge of the Ayr United side just 24 hours prior to the game, Lee Bullen was delighted with the result.

The former Dunfermline and Sheffield United man said it was a hard-fought win against the league leaders.

“If Carlsberg did first football matches, then that has got to be it,” he said.

“It was backs to the wall, bodies on the line stuff, but to a man we stood up to it.”

Arbroath’s Nicky Low takes a tumble during the loss against Ayr United at Somerset Park.