Arbroath manager Paul Sheerin admitted his side were well beaten by title-chasing Albion Rovers at Cliftonhill.
The Lichties’ lead at the top of the division was cut to just two points after they went down 3-0 to Paul Martin’s charges in Coatbridge on Saturday.
“I felt Rovers were worthy of their win,” said Sheerin. “We have beaten them this season and on two occasions they were the better side, so perhaps they were due that one.
“No way were we in the game at three down, despite having the wind at our back.
“We are the team that are there to be shot at just now and they are all big games coming up for us.Huffed and puffed”It was pretty much one of those days. We huffed and puffed but the three first-half goals basically killed us.”
Rovers took an early lead on four minutes, when referee Brian Colvin pointed to the spot after Robert Love was brought down in the box by Arbroath keeper Darryl Burns.
Scott Chaplain fired home from 12 yards.
The visitors enjoyed good spells of possession, but Martin’s men doubled their lead on 39 minutes when Benton powerfully headed home a Chris Boyle corner.
The Lichties were 3-0 down two minutes later when a long punt by Gaston caused chaos in the box leading to Love guiding the ball into an empty net.
Kieran McAnespie’s free-kick over the bar in the 70th minute was as close as they came to reducing the deficit.