TWO goals in the space of three minutes late-on saw Dunfermline clinch victory at New Broomfield on Saturday.

A fifth goal of the season from John Boyle had put the Diamonds on the road to a third successive league win.

But Andy Dowie and Stephen Husband netted in quick succession as the Pars' second-half perseverance eventually paid off.

It was a sore one for Airdrie who produced a thoroughly hard-working performance which, for so long, looked like generating a positive result.

Boss Jimmy Boyle said: "I thought we handled Dunfermline well for most of the game but we gave the ball away cheaply which encouraged them to attack us.

"They have players who can punish you, and that is what happened. But I'm delighted with how much of the game went and I think we're going in the right direction."

Airdrie had a great chance to open the scoring in the 14th minute but Boyle volleyed Jamie Bain's cross over the bar.

However, Boyle netted midway through the first half when he nodded home from close-range after Nathan Blockley directed an Alan Cook free-kick into his path.

Dunfermline should have levelled in the 64th minute but Andy Barrowman smashed Andy Kirk's low cross against the bar with the goal gaping.

But the Pars, who enjoyed the bulk of the possession after the interval, broke through with two ex-Diamonds the architects of their goals.

In the 80th minute, former winger Joe Cardle's corner dropped to Dowie who rifled the ball into the roof of the net.

And Husband powered home a cross from former forward Ryan Wallace, who had come on as a substitute, to complete the fightback.

Colin Paterson at New Broomfield.

Photographs © Craig Brown / Dunfermline FC. Click to view full size.