Little strikes as Lichties make it 17 unbeaten

ARBROATH: Defender is Gayfield men’s unlikely hero as they graft to another win

AIRDRIEONIANS 0 ARBROATH 1

Arbroath matchwinner Ricky Little claimed Saturday’s battling success was just as satisfying as any of the Gayfield team’s more sparkling displays.

Dick Campbell’s table-topping side have swashbuckled their way to a 13-point lead but this win at a freezing Lanarkshire venue was all about hard graft.

Defender Little, the unlikely goalscoring hero, said: “Last Saturday’s win at Forfar was more exciting but this is the type of win we have been needing.

“We have been scoring goals, but we have been too open and conceding too many goals. This was a different type of win as we had to grind it out.

“I will take any goal and it is good to get the winner but as a defender the clean sheet is probably more important. The way the game went it began to look like it would be the only goal although Airdrie nearly sneaked something when they were throwing everything forward.”

Despite another game being chalked off there is still no title talk from anyone at Arbroath with Little already focusing on this Saturday’s contest with closest challengers Raith Rovers.

He added: “There is still a long way to go and we have to play Raith Rovers three times. That is nine points that they can get back themselves.

“We face them next week and it is a big game, but we will look forward to it and see what happens.”

Arbroath were certainly pushed hard by the Diamonds and Dale Carrick should have given the hosts the lead when he was straight through against Darren Jamieson.

However, the goalkeeper spread himself to make a crucial save.

The game’s decisive moment came on 27 minutes when Gavin Swankie swung over a cross from the right and Little timed his run perfectly to send a fierce header flashing into the net.

Airdrie came close again on 51 minutes when Josh Edwards cracked a shot goalward that flew past Jamieson only to strike the woodwork and be cleared to safety.

David Gold was inches away from sweeping in a second with an hour played with Jamieson then denying former Red Lichtie Leighton Mcintosh after he had darted through on goal.

Arbroath survived an injury time scare when a ball was blasted into their box and there were strong home appeals for a penalty.

However, Little said: “It was pinball but nothing else. I don’t think it was a handball. It came off a few bodies and if it did hit a hand, I never saw it.”

Picture: SNS. Ricky Little grabbed the only goal of the game for Arbroath as Dick Campbell’s men maintained their 13-point lead at the top.