David Gold left Forthbank scratching his head in disbelief after Stirling Albion pinched a share of the points when all looked lost.
Arbroath took a 2-0 lead with goals from Steven Doris and Omar Kader, despite having lost Ricky Little to a second yellow card.
However, Sean Dickson hit two goals, in the 90th and 91st minutes, to deny Arbroath a first straight hat-trick of wins of the season.
The result saw Arbroath stretch their unbeaten league run to eight games, which is why they are sitting in third spot.
But there was only frustration in the Arbroath camp as the Stirling players showed they are ready to give their all for new manager Dave Mackay.
Gold, who had a fine match, said: “The boys worked their socks off. And to draw the game in the manner we did we are disappointed in ourselves…
“But at least it’s not a defeat.”
He added: “We are doing well and everyone is working hard right through to the coaches as well.”
Former Stirling striker Doris gave Arbroath the lead five minute before the break, diverting a Kader delivery past Chris Smith.
Little received his marching orders for a second booking, bringing down sub Ross Kavanagh.
Kader made it 2-0 with a low drive.
Stirling responded to the challenge as Dickson fired home from the edge of the box, and then completed his double with a wonderful dipping volley.
Manager Dick Campbell questioned why referee David Munro added four minutes of injury time. “I don’t know where that came from,” he said.
“We did really well to go 2-0, but it’s obviously disappointing to lose two late goals like that.”
