Arbroath survived a late Partick Thistle fight back to secure a big three points, despite ending the game with ten men.
Alex Samuel gave the Jags hope of earning a point after Craig Watson saw red, but they couldn’t find a way through with Findlay Marshall and Gavin Reilly’s earlier goals enough to secure a 2-1 win for the Lichties.
After making a number of changes for Tuesday night’s KDM Evolution Trophy tie against Kelty Hearts, Arbroath were back to full strength for the visit of Thistle.
In a match played with a ferocious wind, it was the visitors who looked the more likely in the first half with that breeze at their backs and they felt as though they should have had a penalty in the opening minute when Ben Stanway went down in the box, but play was waved on.
Tony Watt sent a shot flying wide before Samuel was denied the opener by the linesman’s flag as the Jags made a fast start.
Luke McBeth saw his effort from distance deflect behind and Samuel was then denied again, this time by a strong save from Aidan McAdams.
Arbroath did eventually threaten towards the end of the half with Marshall and Reilly both having attempts, but neither really troubled Josh Clarke as the sides went in level at the break.
Having weathered the storm both literally and figuratively in that first half, the Lichties showed exactly what they’re about after the break, opening the scoring just five minutes into the second period.
Clarke’s goal kick was caught in the wind, allowing Marshall to head it towards the box where it would then break free for the midfielder to fire the ball into the net.
Taylor Steven had a couple of efforts off target with Harry Cochrane forcing a comfortable save from Clarke as Arbroath looked for a quick fire second. Marshall also went close with a shot that deflected just wide before the second goal eventually came on 63 minutes.
Steven was again involved, clipping a lovely ball to the back post for substitute Jacob MacIntyre to head it across goal where Reilly was on hand to turn the ball home.
The Lichties were the side in the ascendency, but their lead was challenged when Watson was shown a red card.
Looking to bring the ball down, the full back’s touch was a little too heavy, allowing Scott Martin to gain possession, and in his attempts to win it back he stretched for the ball with studs showing, giving the referee no option but to send him off.
Thistle made their man advantage count just four minutes later when substitute Logan Chalmers curled an inch perfect ball into the middle for Samuel to turn past McAdams.
It was backs to the wall stuff as you’d expect for the final quarter of an hour as the visitors pushed for an equaliser.
They thought they had it too just six minutes from time when McAdams produced a solid stop to keep Chalmers out, before reacting even quicker just moments later to get down to his right and claw away Oisin Smyth’s effort.
Thistle just couldn’t break a resolute Lichties defence for a second time as they left Gayfield empty handed and Arbroath’s incredible home run continued.
Arbroath: McAdams; Watson, Kabongolo, O’Brien, Wilkie; Cochrane, Flynn; Steven, Marshall (Mebude, 90’); Dow (MacIntyre, 60’); Reilly (Muirhead, 75’)
Partick Thistle: Clarke; Ashcroft, McBeth, O’Reilly; McPherson (Chalmers, 65’), Letsosa (Martin, 46’), Smyth, Stanway (Turner, 75’), Reading (Fitzpatrick, 65’); Watt, Samuel
Attendance: 1,844
