Arbroath assistant boss Ian Campbell says his side need to put an uncharacteristic performance behind them after suffering their first league defeat in 11 games at the hands of Ayr United.
The Lichties went behind to a James Maxwell strike on 18 minutes but failed to break through the Honest Men’s defence, with the score remaining 1-0.
Ayr’s on-loan Rangers forward has been credited with the goal but it could also be put down as a Ricky Little own goal with the defender knocking the ball into his own net.
😍🖤🤍 #superayr pic.twitter.com/Qxc16a13EL
— Ayr United (@AyrUnitedFC) January 8, 2022
For Campbell, the own goal summed up the afternoon.
‘Shambles’
“First half we were poor and it was not like us at all,” he said. “The goal was just a shambles.
“In the second half they parked themselves in the 18-yard box with eight defenders. But all credit to Ayr.
“I thought we weren’t ourselves today. I wouldn’t say they deserved it but they worked hard enough to win the game.
Arbroath remain top of the league, two points clear of Raith Rovers.
But that is of no comfort to Campbell, who watched the Lichties’ unbeaten run of games brought to a halt.
“[Being top] doesn’t interest us. We’re disappointed by the way we played,” he said.
“The whole atmosphere today was weird, but there’s no excuses. Our boys are a tremendous team and set of players. We probably left too many spaces open on the pitch. It wasn’t like us.”
Deserved a point
In the second half Arbroath threw on Nicky Low, Bobby Linn and Dale Hilson in a bid to claw back an equaliser.
Despite the constant waves of pressure, the Lichties were unable to make a breakthrough.
“We certainly should have taken a point from the game,” Campbell said.
“This result reinforces that there’s nothing in this league. Ayr United are a good club and team and they could well beat anybody.
“We don’t get bet very often so we’re bitterly disappointed to lose this game.
“We’ve got to lick our wounds and get back for Raith Rovers next week.”
