WE CAN STILL HIT OUR PEAK
Campbell not giving up hope of Lichties title
Arbroath................. 0 Forfar ...................... 1 Dick Campbell saw his Arbroath side pay the penalty for a shock call by ref John McKendrick – but he’s refusing to throw in the towel in the League Two title race.
Forfar are 11 points clear of their second-placed rivals after Josh Peters’ 34th-minute winner.
But Campbell, who was fuming that Thomas O’Brien’s trip on Steven Doris in the box was not punished, is adamant his team can still claim the championship.
The Lichties boss said: “It’s not over yet. There are still 39 points to play for and there will be a lot of peaks and troughs yet.
“They are 11 points clear but that’s not impossible to claw back
and we’ve still to play them. So their lead is not insurmountable.”
On the Doris spot-kick claim, the gaffer said: “If you don’t think that’s a penalty you know nothing about football.
“I was actually delighted when I saw who was refereeing our game. John is an experienced ref and I felt we needed someone like him given the type of game it was going to be. But we should’ve had a penalty for the foul on Doris.
“The ref was the only person in the ground who didn’t see it as a penalty. Forfar defended very well after their goal, though, and we didn’t have enough quality.”
The swirling wind at Gayfield wreaked havoc with the game early on and ensured it was never going to be a classic.
But there was no shortage of blood, sweat and tears from either side in what was bil led as a potential title decider.
Danny Denholm headed a Gavin Swankie cross over for Forfar after just seven minutes and within seconds Arbroath should have had a penalty.
Doris raced in on goal and appeared to be chopped down from behind by O’Brien.
Furious Arbroath players called for a spot-kick but whistler McKendrick waved them away.
Arbroath dominated but couldn’t make it count and Forfar punished them with the game’s only goal in 35 minutes. Former Gayfield star Gavin Swankie’s cross was met by Peters who slotted home from 15 yards.
Forfar battled to hang on to their lead and keeper Grant Adam made some brave saves to deny Bobby Linn and Eddie Ferns.
At the other end, Arbroath keeper Ricky Gomes produced a fingertip stop to turn away a lastgasp David Cox strike as the visitors held on for victory.
Forfar boss Gary Bollan said: “It was a battling performance, the kind that win you leagues.
“There are plenty of points left. We’ve put ourselves in a good position but if we don’t maintain the form we’ve shown this season then it will count for nothing.”