A goal in each half from strikers Keigan Parker and Jim Lister earned Airdrieonians a priceless victory in the battle for League One survival.

Gary Bollan's side have now lost just once in 12 games after defeating Dunfermline Athletic at New Broomfield on Saturday.

The Diamonds made one change to the team which started the 1-1 draw at Stranraer with Caolan McAleer returning from suspension to replace young Scott Stewart.

Dunfermline boss Jim Jefferies made three changes to the side that beat Brechin City 2-1. Danny Grainger, Stephen Husband and Ross Forbes came in for Lewis Martin, Ryan Thomson and Alex Whittle.

It was the visitors who were first to threaten in the fifth minute when Fayssal El-Bakhtaoui fired just wide after receiving a pass from Ross Forbes.

On-loan Partick Thistle winger McAleer curled a shot just over the bar before Airdrie broke the deadlock in the 28th minute.

Referee Crawford Allan awarded the Diamonds a free-kick after McAleer was fouled 25 yards out by Callum Morris with Parker stepping up and firing his effort into the far corner of the net.

The Pars, already assured of their spot in the promotion play-offs, pressed for an equaliser with a long-range drive from Forbes deflected over.

And there was a let-off for the home side when Andy Geggan blasted inches past the post after Ross Millen's cross from the right-hand side was cleared as far as the midfielder.

The tension was mounting as time ticked away but the relief was palpable a minute into injury time when Airdrie doubled their lead.

A dreadful mix-up between Pars keeper Ryan Scully and centre-back Callum Morris was pounced on by Lister who prodded his eighth goal of the season into an empty net.

Airdrie remain in eighth place in the table but on the same number of points as next weekend's opponents Brechin in seventh.

But the gap to East Fife in the relegation play-off spot is now three points after Gary Naysmith's side were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Stranraer.

Bollan's troops are now 10 points clear of rock-bottom Arbroath who drew 2-2 at Stenhousemuir.

Colin Paterson at New Broomfield.

Photographs © Robert Dalzell. Click to view full size.