Coatbridge was sunny, yet bitterly cold with spells of snow blowing through the exposed pitch.

Arbroath were without Blair Yule and David Gold, but Michael McKenna made a return to the starting line up with Bobby Linn dropping to the bench and Omar Kader taking the number 7 shirt.

In their change strip of all black it was the Lichties who had the strong wind at their backs and the advantage in the first half.

Albion Rovers took the lead against the run of play in the 17th minute in circumstances similar to Ayr’s goal on Wednesday. Play had continued after Albion’s first foray towards the Arbroath but then raced on, when the linesman’s flag was raised.

A corner was given and it was headed down came in the box Alan Trouten finshed from close range.

Arbroath responded and pulled level after a shot from Danny Denholm in a similar position to his strike on Wednesday was only parried away with Omar Kader on hand to fire the ball into the net.

On the stroke of half time Gavin Swankie came close from 30 yards with a dipping volley.

Michael McKenna was denied a goal by the post early in the second half as Arbroath got to grips by playing into the strong headwind.

A foul by Harlain Mbayo on Ryan Wallace in the box allowed Wallace himself to take the spot kick and he made no mistake in the 54th minute.

Alan Trouten came close to a spectacular equaliser when he hit the Arbroath bar from 40 yards with a wind assisted effort.

Arbroath introduced Leighton McIntosh, Ryan McCord and Josh Skelly in the second half and McIntosh came the closest.

Again it was Scott Martin who was the inspiration for the Lichties with “tired” just not in his vocabulary as he ran up and down the pitch all day, winning and chasing every single ball.

A nervy few minutes towards the 90 when Albion pushed forward for the eqauliser but in the end a great 3 away points.

It will be another tricky encounter when we visit again on the 27th.

C’mon the Lichties