Arbroath march on in bid for play-off berth

Arbroath marched on in their bid for a play-off berth as they attempt to achieve consecutive promotions and a place in the Championship.

Penalty hero Ryan Wallace said afterwards: “Having been here previously I know how difficult a place it is to come, and at this time of year any pitch is difficult to play on.

Wallace netted the winning goal for the Red Lichties from the penalty spot after 55 minutes when he was bundled to the ground by Rovers’ on-loan Aberdeen defender Nathaniel Mbayo.

The ball hit the inside of the far post before nestling in the back of the net.

Wallace added: “I got caught on his blind side and he caught me and the referee saw it. It wasn’t the greatest of penalties but at least it went in.”

The Coatbridge side went in front after 17 minutes when Alan Trouten scrambled the ball over the line from a yard out after Conor Scullion’s corner from the left was knocked on by Ross Perry.

The Angus side levelled in 37 minutes when Danny Denholm’s fierce 18-yard drive was only parried by goalkeeper Kieran Wright and Omar Kader tapped in from six yards.

After Wallace’s penalty, there were few chances for either side.

Arbroath assistant manager Ian Campbell said: “We lost a really soft goal and looked quite dangerous up front.

He added Scott Martin was “really magnificent” in the middle of the park.”

The result left Rovers in the relegation play-off spot, just one point ahead of bottom club Queen’s Park, albeit with two games in hand.

“I don’t think there was much in the game at all,” said Rovers manager Brian Kerr.

“The penalty was the difference in a match of few chances, but it was a penalty to be fair,” he added. l Raith Rovers’ home match against East Fife was postponed due to a frozen pitch yesterday afternoon.