Arbroath stun Killie to go clear at the top
ARBROATH last night forged four points clear at the Championship summit thanks to Jack Hamilton’s fifth goal since returning to Gayfield on loan.
The fairytale remains credible into February now. With 13 games to play, there’s no suggestion of Dick Campbell’s side folding. A new-look Kilmarnock fared no better than Tommy Wright’s version against the season’s shock success story. Scoreless here in September, Arbroath won at Rugby Park in November and were typically solid, putting the pre-season favourites in their place again.
An 85th-minute red card for James Craigen for a lunge on Rory McKenzie was the only sour note for the hosts.
Dean Campbell and impressive sub Declan Glass debuted for Killie on loan, while Jason Naismith started for the first time since November.
Despite that Premiership class, Derek McInnes is still piecing a squad together and there’s been too much change for comfort at Killie in 12 months.
With the wind at their backs, the visitors could have stolen a second-minute lead. Daniel MacKay had Derek Gaston back-peddling to deal with his lofted effort. But, in a tense affair, the visitors were left wishing MacKay had made more of that rare opportunity.
Once Arbroath settled, they grew stronger. Scott Stewart and Jason Thomson flashed shots just wide and Nicky Low tested Zach Hemming with a dipping drive from 20 yards.
Michael McKenna’s withdrawal through injury early in the second half appeared a blow for the home side. But they haven’t got to where they are without laughing in the face of adversity. Within a minute of the fine midfielder hobbling off, they led. Hamilton pinched the ball off Dylan Tait as he tried to turn 30 yards from goal.
The on-loan Livingston forward bustled forward and his low shot bobbled en route to make it a horror show for keeper Hemming as the ball slipped beyond his grasp. McInnes swiftly introduced Chris Burke, Oli Shaw and Glass in a triple change. Gaston saved superbly from Rory McKenzie but Arbroath survived six minutes of stoppage time to record a mighty win.