Arbroath 1-0 Kilmarnock: Part-timers go four points clear at top of Scottish Championship
- Published
Jack Hamilton has scored five goals in five games on loan from Livingston
Arbroath stretch their lead over Kilmarnock at the top of the Scottish Championship to four points after Jack Hamilton's fourth goal in three games.
Dick Campbell's part-timers deserved their victory thanks to Hamilton's strike slipping through the arms of goalkeeper Zach Hemming.
But they came closest to scoring before and after the 56th-minute winner.
Kyle Lafferty missed Kilmarnock's best chance before home midfielder James Craigen was sent off for a rash foul.
Arbroath had the better of the first half, with Scott Stewart and Jason Thomson both firing wide, while Nicky Low shot straight at Hemming.
A shot from Daniel McKay was grabbed by Derek Gaston at the second attempt and the on-loan Hibernian winger again fired straight at the goalkeeper after Livingston loanee Hamilton had grabbed the lead.
Lafferty was kept quiet until Gaston blocked a Rory McKenzie strike, but the Northern Ireland striker could only shoot wide from 14 yards on the rebound.
Derek McInnes' pre-season favourites were also unable to take advantage when the home side were reduced to 10 men for the closing minutes after substitute Craigen was shown a straight red card for catching McKenzie with his studs.
Arbroath manager Dick Campbell: "Tonight is up there for me. It was never going to be a classic in these conditions at this time of year, but my players couldn't have given me any more than they did.
"I'm very, very happy. We're eight points clear from fourth from the top is how I look at it. We'll be looking at the play-offs now I'd imagine. Kilmarnock showed in spells tonight that they're going to get better, so we won't be counting our chickens."
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes: "I thought Arbroath had the best of the first half without really working our goalkeeper too much.
"We talked about it being a night when a mistake might win it and unfortunately and it comes from us. Zach's been brilliant for me, but he should save it. Plenty of effort from the players, but it takes a lot more than effort."