After 20 seconds, that happy homecoming looked in danger as Iain Vigurs charged into the home side's box, although his shot flashed wide of the far post.
That would turn out to be a mere flash in the pan, however, with the hosts having the lion's share of possession and chances.
And as they turned the screw Arbroath soon prised the opener when Jamie Bishop scrambled the ball into the net after team mate Steven Cook's blocked shot fell at his feet after 17 minutes.
The pressure continued until the end of the opening period with the hosts pushing for a second. And they thought they had it after 37 minutes when the ball was forced into the net from a corner, but referee Euan Norris chopped it off for offside.
The second goal eventually came after 84 minutes as the sprightly Alan Brazil was tripped as he forged into the visitors penalty box.
Despite being ordered to retake the resultant spot-kick after a team mate was adjudged to have encroached into the penaty box, the striker kept his cool and drilled the ball low into the left-hand corner of the net to make it 2-0 for Arbroath and claim a vital three points which they hope will kick-start their leage ascent.