Airdrieonians clinched their first home league win in more than 13 months thanks to Gregor Buchanan's late goal.

The 23-year-old defender turned home Willie McLaren's free-kick at the back post to earn his side a vital three points on Saturday.

The Diamonds made four changes to the team which drew 2-2 at Ayr United in the last round of league matches before the international break.

On-loan Rangers keeper Scott Gallacher was handed his debut in place of Andrew Duncan with Buchanan, Grant Evans and Jamie Bain coming in for Chris O'Neil, Mick O'Byrne and Liam Watt.

Lewis Coult had a great chance to put Airdrie ahead in the ninth minute but his drive, after questionable defending from Frank McKeown and David MacGregor, flew over the bar.

The opening goal did arrive soon after. Jim Lister laid the ball for David Sinclair who fired a terrific strike into the bottom left-hand corner of the net from just outside the area.

Stranraer enjoyed the better of the middle-to-front play and should have equalised in the 26th minute when David McKenna shot wide a low cross from Marc Corcoran. It looked easier to score.

However, the Blues pulled level just before the break. Chris Aitken went down under contact from Sinclair in the box and converted the resulting penalty after referee Barry Cook pointed to the spot.

Stranraer made it 2-1 in the 56th minute when Martin Grehan powered home a close-range header from an Aitken corner.

The visitors had goalie David Mitchell to thank for keeping them in front. He blocked a Buchanan drive and then McLaren's rebound, grabbing the ball just before it crept over the line.

But Airdrie's second-half surge was to be rewarded and, in the 72nd minute, levelled it all up with Coult getting in front of Scott Robertson to guide home Jamie Bain's overhead kick.

And victory was secured in the closing stages with Buchanan converting McLaren's set-piece delivery - much to the relief of manager Jimmy Boyle and the New Broomfield faithful.

Colin Paterson at New Broomfield.

Photographs © Robert Dalzell. Click to view full size.