Campbell demands a big Lichties response

Arbroath boss Dick Campbell is determined there will be a big response from his players after they suffered their first League One away defeat of the season last week at Dumbarton.

The table-topping Red Lichties were without six regulars for a match played in atrocious conditions with a bad day being made worse when Michael Mckenna came on as a sub but was quickly dismissed after picking up two yellow cards.

The second was for simulation, a decision Arbroath appealed unsuccessfully with the SFA and Mckenna will now miss this afternoon’s game at Gayfield against bottom of the table Stenhousemuir.

Campbell, whose side have a 14-point cushion over nearest challengers Forfar, said: “The conditions last week were some of the worst I had even seen.

“I came in at half-time and my suit jacket was soaked despite the fact I had a big coat on as well.

“If Dumbarton hadn’t been 2-0 in the lead, I am fairly sure the referee would have called the game off. Dumbarton deserved to take the points and I have no complaints about the result.

“However, I am appalled that the SFA have rejected our appeal over Michael Mckenna’s red card.”

Campbell added: “There was no way his second yellow was the right decision and the ref even said to me after the game that on reflection he would rescind it.

“Yet the SFA have still decided to dismiss the appeal so he will miss the game with Stenhousemuir.

“We will also be without the injured Ryanwallace, Colin Hamiltonanddavid Gold so we will be stretched again.”