ARBROATH 2
Linn (16), Donnelly (27)
ALLOA ATHLETIC 1
Trouten (35) Dick Campbell insists Arbroath’s Championship charge can continue – because they fear no side in the division.
Arbroath made it three wins out of four as goals from Bobby Linn and Luke Donnelly were enough to overcome Alloa and ensure Alan Trouten’s effort was no more than a consolation.
The win puts Arbroath into fifth place – three points off a play-off spot after a third of the season.
“I’m delighted because Alloa are the best side we’ve played against this season,” said Campbell.
“We don’t fear any team. It’s not in my nature to fear anyone – not even Celtic and Rangers – and I’m very happy with the start we’ve made to the season. We have come up and shown that we like to play and have a go.”
This was always going to be a tense encounter between two part-time sides who started the season as favourites for the drop.
But there was no shortage of quality on display.
Arbroath dominated early on with Donnelly causing the Wasps all sorts of problems.
He headed a Linn corner inches over the top after four minutes before turning provider for the Red Lichties’ winger.
A superbly-weighted through ball from Donnelly sent Linn clear and he blasted in off visiting keeper Jamie Macdonald. Alloa almost responded instantly, Adam Brown heading a Kevin O’hara cross over, before the Gayfield side doubled their advantage on 28 minutes.
Miko Virtanen’s cross-field pass was taken on the run by Linn and his cutback was hammered home by Donnelly from 15 yards.
Arbroath looked to be cruising to a comfortable win but were pegged back to 2-1 in 35 minutes as Trouten beat the offside trap to drill in from close range.
David Gold came close to restoring Arbroath’s two-goal advantage on 57 minutes as he curled a 20 yard strike just wide.
Alloa had a late chance to win it with the unmarked Jon Robertson firing over from ten yards with the goal at his mercy.
“We play some great football and have real quality,” said boss Peter Grant. “But at times we lack a bit of devilment in attack.”