David is ‘proud’ despite defeat
Arbroath co-manager David Gold remains proud of his side, despite their hopes of reaching the Premiership being over for a another season.
Dunfermline Athletic arrived at Gayfield on Friday with a 1-0 lead from the play-off quarter-final first leg.
That is the way it would remain as the two team’s played out a goalless draw as the Pars go on to meet Patrick Thistle in the semi-final.
Arbroath almost drew level after 13 minutes, but Scott Robinson saw his close-range effort cleared off the line by Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen.
Another golden opportunity presented itself seven minutes from time thanks to a moment of madness from Athletic keeper Aston Oxborough.
The on-loan Motherwell man rushed to the edge of his area where he clipped the heels of Ryan Dow and a penalty was awarded.
Aaron Muirhead stepped up to take the kick, but Oxborough made up for his earlier blunder as he pulled off a fine save.
Gold told Arbroath FC TV: “It's tough to put into words to be honest because I’m obviously deflated right after the result.
“I feel like the boys put a hell of a lot into the match and we’ve had a couple of big chances and not taken them.
“It's quite tough because I felt like they deserved more, the performance definitely deserved more.
“We tried to play on the front foot, we tried to go and get that win but, unfortunately, football hurts sometimes.
“However, I'm feeling extremely proud of them, the boys have been against the odds the whole season, from day one.
“You see the way they conduct themselves every single week; they’re such a such a good group, a good blend of experience and youth, and they deserve a lot of credit.
“We’ll keep thinking forward. We have to be realistic but, as a group, we always want to try and be better.
“From the players to the staff to the guys above that won’t change over the summer.”