Airdrieonians fought back from a goal down to earn a draw at Forfar and move level on points with ninth-placed Arbroath at the bottom of the League One table.

The Diamonds were forced to make two changes to the team which started the 1-1 draw with Stranraer at New Broomfield last weekend.

Suspension ruled out Gregor Buchanan and captain Darren McCormack so Grant Evans and Liam Watt were promoted from the bench.

Conditions at Station Park were awful with the bitter cold, a swirling wind and driving rain making life very uncomfortable for players and spectators alike.

Forfar had the first chance of the afternoon in the 13th minute but Ross Campbell's volley from just inside the box was well blocked by keeper Grant Adam.

But there was little Adam could do in the 28th minute as the Loons took the lead. A corner into the area was cleared as far as Omar Kader who drove a shot into the far corner of the net.

Gary Bollan's men got themselves into good positions in the final third of the pitch but the quality often wasn't there and had to be content with half-chances.

Forfar continued to be devilish going forward and almost made it 2-0 in the 41st minute when Campbell, who accepted a nice pass from Gavin Swankie and cut inside Stefan Milojevic, fired a low effort just wide.

There was another opportunity for the hosts, in the 63rd minute, when Stuart Malcolm headed Campbell's cross from the left-hand side over the bar.

But Forfar's lead was wiped out a minute later after a lovely Airdrie move. Keigan Parker's great pass found Caolan McAleer with his low ball into the box guided home by Jim Lister.

It was the 32-year-old striker's fourth goal of the season and second in as many games.

However, the Diamonds needed to rely on Adam five minutes later when he superbly tipped a fierce strike from Martyn Fotheringham over the bar.

Both teams enjoyed spells of attacking play in the closing stages with Airdrie surviving a couple of goalmouth scrambles as Forfar pressed for the victory.

But Bollan's troops held on for a point and are tied on 17 points with Arbroath who lost 3-2 at home to Ayr United. The gap to outright safety is now six points following East Fife's defeat to Dunfermline Athletic.

Colin Paterson at Station Park.

Photograph © Stuart Mathie. Click to view full size.