It took a last minute header from Colin Hamilton but the Lichties claimed all 3 points tonight as they move 2 points above 4th placed Alloa Athletic before the sides meet on Saturday.
Tonight’s match certainly wasn’t a classic. The Cliftonhill pitch was was hosting it’s 5th game in succession and it certainly made it hard for slick passing play, but it was a handicap that both sides faced.
It was a much changed line up for the Lichties with David Hutton, David Gold, Bobby Linn and all Blair Yule coming in for Ricky Gomes, Danny Denholm, Omar Kader and Scott Martin who had played earlier in the day for his Hibernian Development side, ruling him out.
There were changes for Albion Rovers too with Rangers loanee goalkeeper Kieran Wright representing Scotland U19s, and Aberdeen defender Harlain Mbayo also missing out due to a hamstring injury but they did included former Kilmarnock youngster Scott McLean on the wing as a trialist.
The trialist was finding lots of space on the wing and it was a more positive approach to the game from the Wee Rovers as they had a strong attack with Sean Higgins, Alan Trouten and Joao Victoria all in attack.
The home side were creating the better chances and took the lead in the 23rd minute when Craig McLeish found McLean in space and his cross was finished by Sean Higgins from close range.
Former Lichtie Joao Victoria was booked on the half hour mark when he raced through on goal but as Thomas O’Brien made the tackle, Victoria went down and was booked for simulation.
The Lichties pulled level on the 38th minute when a long ball from Ricky Little was only half cleared and was picked up by Bobby Linn, who exchanged a pass with Michael McKenna before threading the ball through the defence to Ryan Wallace who fired past Daniel Potts at his front post.
The second half seen both sides continue to attack, with the Lichties being frustrated with the stand side linesman who constantly had his flag raised.
There was anger in the home camp when the felt they were denied a penalty just after the hour mark when Alan Trouten went down at the edge of box, but the referee played on with neither Trouten being shown a yellow card, nor any of the Arbroath players being penalised.
Shortly afterwards former Lichtie and now assistant Manager Stuart Malcolm was sent to the stand for arguing with the referee about the decision.
The Lichties did battle on, winning 7 corners in the second half coming close from a chip then a shot by Wallace which just curled past the post.
Danny Denholm came on for David Gold, before Bobby Linn had to be replaced by Omar Kader. Bobby looked to be struggling at the end of the first half but had shaken it off in the second half but looked to have succumb to it in the end.
Leighton McIntosh came for for Michael McKenna just as Albion Rovers won a free kick.
There was an odd moment of panic as everyone seemed to move out of the way of Ross Davidson who had picked up the ball and ran through on David Hutton’s goal but blasted his shot high over the net with just the keeper to beat.
Arbroath kept up the pressure and with the full time whistle just a minute away finally the goal came.
Ryan Wallace swung a corner into the box and Colin Hamilton was first to the ball thumping the ball past Potts for a dramatic winner.
It was tough on Albion Rovers who were unfortunate not to pick up a point but a boost for the Lichties who moved back up to 3rd.
