'Killie need a win far more than us' - Arbroath boss Dick Campbell contemplates taking his part-timers top of Championship table

Dick Campbell (right), pictured with his assistant and twin brother Ian, can take Arbroath top this Friday

Thomas O’Brien’s header from a first half Nicky Lowe corner – followed by Livingston loanee Joel Nouble's headed goal 10 minutes from time – earned a 2-0 win for the Red Lichties at Queen of the South last Saturday which moved them onto 13 points from six games. Arbroath prevailed despite having David Gold sent off early in the second half for a last man foul on Lee Connelly.

"David will be suspended for the Killie game but I’ve got options as replacements,” Arbroath manager Dick Campbell told the Angus County Press.

“If either team wins they go top of the league. Tommy Wright (Killie manager) is a good friend of mine. They are more in need of a win than me. I don’t care if we’re top of the league or not.

"It’s a fascinating start. We’re the top goalscorers in the league and we’re the best defence in the league. That augurs well.

"There will be a big crowd there on Friday and we’re in front of the whole nation in terms of the television so let’s bring it on.”

Campbell’s team are defying the odds despite being the only part-time team in the league.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re full-time or part-time, you’ve got to get good players,” Campbell said.

"I’ve got a strong team and they’re fighting.

"I’ve got a right good defence, and that’s in my favour.

"Obviously the big boy that’s come in from Livingston is doing a great job.

"But I’m not wanting him to do too much or he’ll go back to Livingston!

"It’s a big plus at Arbroath just now. Everything seems to be falling into place.

"We’ve sold more season tickets this season than ever before, the crowds are getting bigger, we have the new hospitality suite.

"I’m not going to tempt fate by saying: ‘I want to do this, I want to do that’.

"All I want to do is stay in the league.

"To quote John Ritchie, my good friend that passed away a couple of years ago: ‘See every door you open, there’s a custard pie there waiting to come right into your coupon’.”