Airdrieonians suffered their eighth defeat in a row in atrocious conditions at New Broomfield on Saturday.

The rock-bottom Diamonds took the lead through Lewis Coult but an own goal by Gregor Buchanan and second-half strikes from Ross Brown and Stephen Hughes ensured a 10th loss in 11 games.

Boss Gary Bollan made a number of changes for his side's first game in three weeks with a trio of players making their debuts.

Keeper Danny Rogers and right-back Ross Gilmour, on loan from Aberdeen and Dundee United, respectively, were drafted into the starting line-up alongside trialist Keigan Parker.

The Diamonds made a great start to this match and almost opened the scoring in the ninth minute but Parker's curling shot from an angle was cleared off the line by James Thomson.

Greg Paterson, the East Fife keeper, was called into action three minutes later and made a solid block to deny Buchanan who got on the end of Nicky Cadden's back-post corner.

Midfielder Nathan Blockley drove a shot just over the bar in the 14th minute but Airdrie were rewarded for their positive opening four minutes later.

Liam Watt's cross from the right flank was not cut out by the Fifers defence with Coult showing great skill and composure to guide the ball into the corner of the net.

However, the visitors got themselves back into the contest and came close a couple of times through striker Nathaniel Austin.

The pressure was building and the equaliser arrived in the 42nd minute when Craig Johnstone cut back for Lewis Barr with his shot diverted past Rogers by the unfortunate Buchanan.

And two goals in the space of five minutes in the second half earned the Methil men victory.

Brown powerfully headed home an inswinging corner from substitute Stephen Hughes before Hughes himself curled a 30-yard free-kick into the top corner of the net.

Colin Paterson at New Broomfield.

Photographs © Robert Dalzell. Click to view full size.