Aberdeen 1 - 2 Arbroath

And Hopes of League Flag are Wrecked

GOAL IN LAST MINUTE DOES THE DAMAGE

Arbroath dealt Aberdeen a smashing blow Pittodrie on Saturday. Not only did they break the Dons' unbeaten home record, which has stood since Rangers triumphed in April, but they wrecked any remaining hopes of League honours the club may have entertained.
A goal scored by Walker in the last minute of the game did the damage. On play the Red Lichties may be considered fortunate to win, but to a great extent Aberdeen had themselves to blame.

Mixed Blessing

The issue should have been made secure before the interval. The Dons got off to a flying start, Armstrong following up a Cooper lob to open the scoring after two minutes' play. This goal may well have been something of a mixed blessing. It seemed to make the home players over-confident.
For a long spell after this Aberdeen were definitely on top. The attack played clever football, but their movements had an unhappy knack of breaking down inside the penalty area.
Probably thankful to be only one goal down with the interval in sight, Arbroath commenced to fight back, and with about a minute of the half to go they got on level terms. Brand accepted a slip from Urquhart and smashed the ball into the net.

Last-Minute Decision

After the interval Arbroath began to take a more active part in attack but although their raids threatened danger Aberdeen still held the advantage. Towards the close the Dons crowded on all sail in an effort to register the winning goal. The Gayfield goal men ran several narrow escapes, but luck and a plucky defence combined to frustrate the home men.
In a last-minute breakaway Arbroath caught Aberdeen by surprise. Brand eluded McGill and raced away on the right to bring Westland to full length with a grounder. The 'keeper could only scrape the ball away. Cooper failed to clear, and Walker banged it into the net.

Much Below Form

The Aberdeen team as a whole played much below form, and several of the players seemed to be feeling the effects of the mid-week Cup replay against St Johnstone.
There will have to be considerable improvement both in attack and defence if the Dons are to survive the visit of Rangers on Saturday first in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.
The Pittodrie rear trio was shaky at times. Both Cooper and McGill found it difficult to check the speedy Arbroath wingers, and the right back seemed be at fault when the winning goal was netted.
Gavin, who came in for Falloon, did not reveal his best form, and found Brand an elusive opponent. Fraser and Thomson worked hard in defence, and gave their forwards fairly good support. The Dons' skipper strove hard to force the winning goal in the closing stages.