Albion Rovers dominated possession for the majority of the match but could not find that cutting edge when it mattered most.
The visitors took the lead in freakish circumstances when Paul Watson tried his luck from 35 yards and the ball took a wicked skip on an uneven surface baffling keeper Gary McGlynn in the process, allowing the ball to slip through the keeper's hands and into the back of the net.
Arbroath should have been two in front when Gavin Swankie fired a pinpoint cross into the box for Andrew Reilly to mis-hit his effort from two yards out in what must be the miss of the season.
Rovers gave out an attack in the second half and thought they had taken the lead when a looping free-kick from Jamie Doyle found the head of the on-rushing George Wallace, but the striker's header fell inches wide of the post.
Arbroath's second goal was just as fortunate as the first as Greg Miller badly mis-hit his shot, but the ball luckily fell to Kevin McMullan six yards from goal and the full-back guided the ball into the back of the net.
Rovers nearly managed a consolation effort when Ciaran Donnelly's 25-yard free-kick cannoned off the post, but ultimately it was not to be for the home side as Arbroath travelled back to Gayfield with all three points.