A determined defensive display by the entire team ensured the Lichties held on for a narrow win on aggregate as Stranraer piled men forward throughout the 90 minutes.



The Maroons' first leg lead proved to be too much for Stranraer to overhaul and, while they were unlucky in front of goal on numerous occasions, Mr McGlashan's side fully deserved their promotion.

The Blues were firmly in control throughout the game with the visitors' task made all the more difficult after 57 minutes when Craig Tully was sent packing.

The defender was certainly guilty of a crude challenge on Daniel Mitchell but the referee appeared to take more notice of the Stranraer players' furious reaction then the actual tackle.

It proved to be a catalyst to the home side which pulled a goal back after 62 minutes. Steven McConalogue played a ball through to James McKinstry. He delivered a cut-back to Gregory TADE who finished with a low drive past Darren Hill.

Tade had it easy, he simply ran through the middle with the visiting side not fully up to speed after Tully had received his marching orders.

On aggregate the Lichties were still ahead and this was clear by the action on the pitch. The Blues piled forward but found chances hard to come by with Arbroath putting nine men behind the ball with Andy Reilly the only outlet up front.

The impressive Gary McLaughlin threatened with a header in the 83rd minutes while a minute later it was heart-in-mouth time as a moment of mis-communication between Darren Hill and Robbie Raeside almost let Tade in but Raeside recovered to clear off the line.

In the final stages Hill showed great handling to grab Kevin Nicoll's volley from distance at the near post.

Into injury time Tade had two further opportunities to force extra time. He bundled his way through the two lines of defence to connect with a long ball from Dobbins but headed wide. And in the final minute the forward was found at the back post but, as he got his shot away, Jamie Bishop flew in with a block to clear for a corner.

When the final whistle sounded, Arbroath's supporters, who the manager described as 'phenomenal', leaped over the hoardings to take control of the pitch as the players celebrated and Stranraer's troops dejectedly trudged down the tunnel.

As the fans swarmed the Stair Park playing surface, Barry Sellars enthused: "We knew it was going to be difficult coming down here despite the 2-0 win on Wednesday, but over the course of the play-offs we deserved it."

The captain heaped praise on 'keeper Hill who displayed great handling and positioning throughout the tie: "Darren is a superb goalkeeper. His ability is phenomenal and if he stays on for next season then we have the nucleus of a good team. Plus I'm sure now that we have moved up a level the manager will look to strengthen the side."

Read full report in the Arbroath Herald