Battling Airdrie put up the shutters at New Broomfield on Saturday to earn a valuable point.

The Diamonds were reduced to ten men when Jack Boyle was sent-off but Raith couldn't break them down.

Airdrie made two changes to the team which drew 1-1 at Cowdenbeath last weekend.
Kieron Stallard, who has moved to Australia, and Ryan Donnelly (who dropped to the bench) were replaced in the starting line-up by Boyle and Jamie Bain.

The first half was largely a sedate affair but the Diamonds had the better of it. Defensively, Jimmy Boyle's men were solid and they looked industrious in attack.

In the fourth minute, Paul Di Giacomo curled in a shot from distance but Raith's young keeper Ross Laidlaw turned the ball past the post.

Di Giacomo would trouble the Kirkcaldy custodian two more times. A low drive was well held by Laidlaw who then blocked the striker's near-post drive.

The Diamonds continued to press and had the ball in the net when Laidlaw fumbled on-loan Motherwell kid Josh Watt's corner but referee John Beaton ruled he had been fouled.

Raith tested Grant Adam after the break. An Eddie Malone free-kick was comfortably held by the St Mirren loanee who did well to deny Jason Thomson.

Jack Boyle fired into the side-netting in the 61st minute but his afternoon would end prematurely five minutes later.

Two yellow cards in quick succession from ref Beaton for mistimed challenges led to his sending-off.

However, Raith were unable to take full advantage although both teams had a chance to nick all three points.

Substitute Jamie Barclay had an overhead kick, from a Watt cross, held by Laidlaw.
At the other end, the Diamonds failed to clear the danger but had Adam to thank for blocking Greig Spence's low shot.

Airdrie boss Boyle said: "I think it was a point gained. The boys dug in and I thought we defended really well."

Raith gaffer Grant Murray added: "I don't think we performed that well at all but we kept them out and a draw was probably the fair result."

Colin Paterson at New Broomfield.

Photographs © Robert Dalzell. Click to view full size.