It was a game of two halves today at Gayfield on Saturday as Stranraer became the only side to inflict two defeats over Arbroath at home.
The Lichties had made a dream start with Omar Kader netting after only 2 minutes, and there was only 11 minutes to wait before Gavin Swankie doubled the Lichties lead in the 13th minute.
Every time Arbroath raced forward they posed a threat to the Stranraer goal in a first half they dominated.
However goalkeeper Ricky Gomes was forced to leave the field after only 26 minutes after being unable to kick through the ball due to a hamstring / glutes problem and was replaced by David Hutton.
Gavin Swankie almost scored his second at the end of the first half but his shot hit the bar before Stranraer keeper Max Currie saved his second attempt.
Stranraer attacked the Harbour end in the second half with their wind at their back but the Lichties seemed to struggle as Stranraer seemed the more motivated side.
Colin Hamilton’s strike was saved in the 65th minute which would have put the game beyond doubt but only 3 minutes later and substitute Stephen Okoh finished from close range to pull the visitors back into the game.
The goal lifted the Stranraer side and they soon started to dominate as Arbroath couldn’t get the ball up the pitch and Stranraer were level in the 73rd minute when Grant Anderson connected for former Lichtie Scott Robertson’s low cross.
Arbroath brought on Bobby Linn and Josh Skelly for Ryan Wallace and Omar Kader seconds later.
The game opened up and there was chances at both ends but Stranraer were awarded a penalty in the 86th minute when David Hutton brought down substitute David Gray.
Scott Agnew made no mistake from 12 yards out to pull off a remarkable come back and a great 45 minute performance from Stranraer.
There was more drama to come as a strike by Thomas O’Brien was cleared off the line by Jamie Hamill (I was hoping the GoPro footage would clear this up, but for the first time this season the GoPro seemed to die half way through the second half)
Arbroath have the perfect chance to get over the disappointing display of the second half as we travel to Albion Rovers on Tuesday evening.
C’mon the Lichties
