AIRDRIE fought back three times to earn a point at home to Forfar Athletic.

The Diamonds earned a share of the spoils on Saturday thanks to supersub John Boyle's late equaliser.

There were three changes for Airdrie with Craig Hill, Phil Johnston and on-loan Willie
McLaren coming in for David Lilley, Chris Malone and Scott Sally.

Keeper Connor Fairley did well in the 16th minute when he headed the ball against his own bar after Craig Hill's swiped clearance from the left flank flew goalwards.

But the Loons opened the scoring a minute later when the unmarked Chris Templeman fired home when a Greg Ross shot deflected into his path.

Jamie Stevenson came close to a leveller before setting up Ryan Donnelly's 13th goal of the season in the 32nd minute.

He brilliantly read the play to cut out a cross-field pass and played in the Rochsoles striker who saw his effort deflect into the corner of the net past keeper Greg Paterson.

A Graeme Owens free-kick brought an impressive save from Paterson three minutes later with substitute Kevin Motion going close for the visitors at the other end.

But defences weren't on top in the second half with both teams sharing six goals in just 23 minutes.

Donnelly put Airdrie in front for the only time in the game when he calmly slotted a Jamie Bain pass into the net.

Forfar levelled through Motion's delightful top-corner strike and went ahead when Martyn Fotheringham's cross reached Templeman who fired home.

The hosts made it 3-3 when Glenmavis lad Bain's pinpoint cross found Donnelly who placed a wonderful header high past Paterson.

Substitute Kevin Byers restored Forfar's advantage in the 78th minute, converting David Mowat's through ball.

But Boyle smuggled the ball home from close-range to nick the Diamonds a point from an absolutely incredible game.

Colin Paterson at New Broomfield.

Photographs © Robert Dalzell. Click to view full size.