Arbroath1–1Queen's Park

Conditions were perfect as Arbroath returned to Gayfield with a slight har just out to sea as the town soaked up the ever so rare Scottish sun. Todd Lumsden has agreed to take over team matters and he had opted for a few changes. Arbroath lined up with McCallum in goal with Mark Whatley playing at right back and Craig Johnstone at left, with a central pairing of Ricky Little and Liam Gordon who returned from injury with Kevin Nicoll bridging the gap between defence and midfield. Kieran McWalter and Keiran Stewart played in midfield with Bobby Linn and Scott McBride on the right and left respectively with Simon Murray playing up front by himself.

For the first time in 7 games Arbroath could name a full bench – Buchan, Smith, Grant, Rowan, Carreiro, Lowdon and Wilson were all substitutes with Adam Hunter, Johnny Lindsay and Paul McManus all still missing due to injury.

Queen’s Park kicked off the first half as Arbroath attacked the Harbour end. There was very little in terms of action in the opening exchanges but good work by Bobby Linn down the wing allowed Keiran Stewart to flash a dangerous ball across the Queen’s Park goal but it fell to the rear of Simon Murray. Queen’s Park were forced into a change in the 13th minute when Shaun Rooney was forced off with an injury, while Conor McVey came on to replace him. Arbroath threatened down the right wing again and this time it was Kieran McWalter who was able to go deep but his cross almost caught goalkeeper William Burns out and he did well to save as the ball went looping over towards his near post.

Arbroath were looking more physical with both Kevin Nicoll and Kieran McWalter doing all they could to win back possession. Muir produced a great save when Linn cut in from the right wing towards goal and shot from 16 yards out but the keeper dived to direct the shot out for Arbroath’s first corner kick in the 18th minute. Arbroath were rewarded for their persistence when McWalter harassed Vincent Berry before robbing him of possession then ran towards goal. As Simon Murray peeled off to his left, McWalter slid the ball perfectly into Murray’s path and he hit a right foot shot past Muir to fire Arbroath into the lead into the 25th minute - Simon Murray also claiming his 20th goal of the season.

Queen’s Park had their first shot on target in the 28th minute when Ciaran McElroy shot towards McCallum but it was an easy save for the Lichties keeper. When Arbroath were under pressure the players were doing their best to get back and defend together which meant McWalter and Stewart would sit in front of the central defenders with Nicoll stepping back to almost make it 3 central defenders. It was efficient and kept Queen’s Park at bay but it meant when Arbroath did win the ball back it was slightly harder to break up the field quickly, but it was working and with the goal advantage it was down to Queen’s Park to work harder.

Half time – Arbroath 1 – 0 Queen’s Park

The second half kicked off with most of the 680 supporters making the most of the warm weather and standing on the open terracing around Gayfield. The second half opening was very similar to the first half with both teams trying to seek an opening past each line of defence. Craig Johnstone won a free kick on the wing which resulted in Gavin Mitchell being shown a yellow card for his troubles. Bobby Linn whipped in the ball and opted to shoot but Muir was able to control the ball.

Simon Murray went on a virtuoso run in the 55th minute after picking the ball up deep in his own half taking the ball up the wing with Quinn and Wharton giving chase before twisting and turning to lose both defenders before sliding a teasing ball right across the Queen’s Park goal but again there was nobody there to poke the ball into the back of the net. Another break away this time set up by Linn allowed Mark Whatley to break free and cut inside before he found Scott McBride but as the Queen’s Park defenders tracked back his shot was forced down. Queen’s made their second substitution when Ross McPherson replaced Gavin Mitchell in the 56th minute.

A free kick by Craig Johnstone just inside the Queen’s Park half almost allowed Murray in as Muir came to punch it clear but he found he failed to make a full connection and the bouncing ball was cleared by his defence as he was caught off his line. It could be said that referee Colin Steven wasn’t really giving Arbroath much throughout the day, and so it didn’t come as much surprise that Arbroath weren’t awarded a penalty kick when it looked odds on. Linn set Murray free towards goal and as Wharton chased he knew Murray had him beat for pace so it was no surprise that Wharton changed the path of his run to the ball and basically bounced Murray off the ball. They are given all the time, but sadly not today.

Murray again threatened when Scott McBride slid a ball through and again Murray was faced with both Quinn and Wharton to beat but as he was forced slightly off to his right he was still able to get into space to fire a shot on target but again Muir was able to get down to save but again Murray proving his strength and trickery and creating chances as he led the line alone. Queen’s Park brought on another striker as they made their final change as Jordan Moore replaced defender Berry. Simon Murray showed his pace once again as he ran again directly at Muir but this time an excellent last ditch sliding tackle by Coner McVey kept Murray out. Another good ball was played across the Queen’s Park box by Murray who had battled Quinn down the wing but it was cleared before anyone could get to it.

Scott McBride picked up a yellow card in the 71st minute for obstruction as Queen’s tried to take a quick throw in and perhaps Arbroath’s energy levels started to drop or the two strikers paid off for Queen’s Park but in the final 15 minutes Queen’s Park started to get a grip of the game and Arbroath were being pushed deeper. Simon Murray was shown a yellow card in the dying moments as he shot at goal after the referee’s whistle as Muir pushed was coming further out of his goals to get the ball up the pitch.

Arbroath were cruelly robbed of a win in the 91st minute when a Sean Burns shot seemed to take a deflection through a crowded box and into the bottom right of the goal. It was only the second shot on goal by Queen’s Park but it felt like a defeat after Arbroath had been so organised for 90 minutes but were punished so close to full time. The referee blew 90 seconds after the restart which also meant that Albion Rovers had won the title.