The Lichties battled back to claim a point against 2nd placed Raith Rovers this afternoon, a point which moves the Lichties back into 3rd place on goal difference.
Arbroath welcomed back Thomas O’Brien into defence, reverting back to a 3-5-2 but with Bobby Linn still absent due to injury.
The lichties made a good start to the game and Swankie could have opened the scoring in the 23rd minute but his volley was just wide of the post.
A minute later and Raith were forced into a change as goalkeeper Aaron Lennox seemed to injury himself whilst taking a goal kick. He was replaced by the experienced Graeme Smith.
The Lichties had a claim for a penalty when Jason Thomson seemed to pull back David Gold who had leapt for a header in the box.
Of course 60 seconds later and Raith Rovers won a penalty when Thomas O’Brien was adjudged to have fouled Liam Buchanan.
Thomas O’Brien was booked, and Buchanan scored from the spot to give Raith the half time lead.
Dick Campbell went for it in the second half as he played a 4-3-3 and the change of tactics worked as Arbroath started to dominate the second half.
Leighton McIntosh kept up his amazing scoring record at Gayfield as he equalised in the 74th minute. A Josh Skelly corner kick was flicked up by Gavin Swankie and Leighton made no mistake to deservedly draw the Lichties level.
The Lichties had a prime chance to score a second goal as they were awarded a in-direct free kick from a 30 yard pass back but the Raith wall did it’s job and the ball was blocked.
Substitute Josh Skelly was incredibly unlucky as Raith Rovers keeper Graeme Smith knew little about Skelly’s strike as it hits him straight in the face, but enough to keep the ball out of the net.
As Raith went for it chances were created at either end with Buchanan guilty of missing from 5 yards as he blasted his shot high over the bar.
In the end another draw against full time Raith Rovers and pushes Arbroath back into 3rd.
A win for Stranraer over Alloa Athletic means the Blues are now only 6 points behind Alloa and Arbroath.
C’mon the Lichties!
