Arbroath picked up a point against Cove Rangers but, in truth, the draw felt like a defeat to the Lichtie faithful.
Goals from Michael McKenna and Blair Yule at the start and end of the match cancelled each other out.
Aside from those strikes, there was little in the way of goal-mouth action.
Derek Gaston was tested a few times while Stuart McKenzie’s only real involvement in the game was to pick the ball out of the Cove net.
Dick Campbell remained upbeat in his post match comments but, with just six points out of a possible 24 at home, some fans are starting to grow restless.
Courier Sport takes a look at four talking points from another frustrating afternoon at Gayfield.
More attacking reinforcements?
Kieran Shanks ‘earned’ his place in the team, according to Dick Campbell after last week’s goal at Inverness.
He was given another starting chance against Cove but was unable to live up to his previous heroics.
But it wasn’t for a lack of trying.
The 20-year-old provided a focal point up top but the odds were stacked against him coming up against Mark Reynolds and Jack Sanders.
He did cause the defensive pairing some trouble though, winning a couple of free-kicks in dangerous areas.
There is no doubting Shanks’ ability – he was top scorer for Inverurie Locos last season, after all – but he needs attacking support or a partner to play off of. And he may not need to wait too long.
Dick Campbell said post-match that there would be attacking reinforcements coming in January.
He even hinted there could even be a new face added before then.
Linn confrontation
Substitutions can change games. Unfortunately for Arbroath, the changes made by Dick Campbell didn’t have the desired effect.
Bobby Linn, Scott Allan, Kieran Shanks, Marcel Oakley and Keaghan Jacobs all had decent games. But those five were replaced with the changes all made with 20 minutes still left to play.
In the cases of Oakley and Linn, the Lichties boss said those swaps were down to fatigue.
Linn also seemed to have a confrontation with Campbell after being replaced, with both exchanging their views on the touchline.
Of that, he played down the disagreement: “Bobby Linn’s a credit to himself but he’s angry at being taken off.
“He’s 37 years old and played two full matches in the last few weeks.”
Tiredness or not, the substitutions saw Arbroath sit deeper and deeper as Cove pressed and eventually got their equaliser.
Florent Hoti
One substitute who did look to make a positive impact was new boy Florent Hoti.
He replaced Scott Allan with 25 minutes remaining.
The former Dundee United kid looked to make an impact firing a shot from distance immediately after coming on.
Florent Hoti
Arbroath FC are delighted to announce that 21-year-old midfielder Florent Hoti has signed for the club on a short-term deal.
The former Dundee United midfielder will wear the number 22 shirt for the Lichties!
Welcome Florent!
➡️https://t.co/coheT7STvR pic.twitter.com/OCuEnTtkpY
— Arbroath FC (@ArbroathFC) November 11, 2022
It was well wide, but showed some intent, which his side lacked in the second half.
The 21-year-old looked to run forward with the ball every time he had possession.
Hoti was one of a few shining lights on an otherwise dull afternoon for Arbroath.
Missed opportunity
With Hamilton losing on Friday night, Arbroath had a glorious chance to move clear of the basement boys AND narrow the gap with Cove to three points.
They were so close to achieving the perfect result.
But a momentary lapse in concentration sees the Lichties remain five behind the Aberdonians and just one point ahead of Accies.
It was a opportunity to kick on and start to build some progress against a fellow bottom three side.
This result will go down as a huge opportunity missed.
Thankfully for Arbroath there are still 63 points left to play for in what looks increasingly like a two-way relegation battle.
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