Campbell: That was more like Lichties of last season
Arbroath assistant manager Ian Campbell hailed the Red Lichties players after they secured their first league win of the campaign.
And Campbell reckons they looked more like the side which stormed to a second-place finish last season as they saw off Morton at Cappielow.
Dale Hilson’s strike and a Michael McKenna penalty put Arbroath in control of the game in the first half and on course for three very welcome points. Ton sub Lewis McGrattan pulled a goal back in the 94th minute – Jai Quitongo was sent off in the aftermath of the goal – but the visitors held out for a deserved three points.
Delighted Campbell said: “We were excellent in the first half and were more like ourselves. Our players deserve massive credit, it’s a great three points coming through here.
“We were more l ike the Arbroath of last season. Hopefully this will kick us on.”
The Red Lichties went ahead after 12 just minutes when loan star Marcel Oakley whipped in a brilliant cross which split the Ton defence and was turned in at the far post by Hilson.
Morton pushed for an equaliser but Derek Gaston pulled off comfortable saves to deny Jack Baird and Quitongo.
Arbroath were gifted a second from the penalty spot when Ton skipper Grant Gillespie shoved over McKenna as he was making his way out of the box.
Referee Scott Lambie awarded a spot-kick and McKenna sent Brian Schwake the wrong way.
Morton did half the deficit deep in injury-time when McGrattan headed home from close-range. Then Quitongo picked up a second booking following a melee after the goal as he tried to retrieve the ball from the net.
Morton boss Dougie Imrie admitted his side deserved nothing from the game.
He said: “I didn’t think we were at it at all for large parts of the game. Arbroath wanted it more and got their win.”