Saturday December 17, 2011
Irn Bru SFL Division 2
Airdrie United
2-3
Donnelly 69, 84
Brechin City
Lister 34
McManus 81
McKenna 83
AIRDRIE missed out on the chance to move into fourth place after defeat to Brechin City.
The Diamonds had a five-match unbeaten run ended by Jim Weir's side despite another brace from striker Ryan Donnelly.
Boss Jimmy Boyle made one change to the team that drew 1-1 at Stenhousemuir with forward John Boyle replacing the injured Derek Holmes.
The home side should have opened the scoring in the fourth minute but Willie McLaren's cross was volleyed over the bar by Phil Johnston.
A Donnelly header, from another excellent cross by McLaren, struck the bar before Jim Lister was brilliantly denied by Fairley in the 15th minute.
Craig Molloy came close for the visitors and these chances were the prelude to an opening goal for the visitors which arrived in the 34th minute.
A Charlie King cross was brilliantly controlled by Lister who held off David Lilley and beat the keeper with a cool finish.
Brechin had an opportunity to make it 2-0 before the break when they were awarded an indirect free-kick after Fairley handled a backpass, but King's shot was deflected over.
Boyle headed against the bar after the restart before the Diamonds were reduced to ten men when referee Kevin Clancy red-carded Rhys Devlin for denying Lister a clear goalscoring opportunity.
However, Airdrie equalised when Paul Lovering found McLaren who, in turn, set up Donnelly for a fantastic strike which flew in off the post.
Brechin restored their advantage in the 79th minute when substitute Paul McManus moved curled a fantastic shot into the top corner of the net.
And they made it 3-1 four minutes later with a low Derek Carcary cross bundled over the line by another substitute, David McKenna.
Within a minute, Airdrie were back in the game when Jamie Bain's cross was turned in at the near post by Donnelly for his 22nd goal of the season.
But the Diamonds could not muster a late leveller with this win allowing Brechin to draw level on points in the SFL2 table.
Colin Paterson at New Broomfield.
Photographs © Robert Dalzell. Click to view full size.