Second-half goals from Gregor Buchanan and trialist Keigan Parker earned Airdrieonians their first victory in almost three months.

The Diamonds made two changes to the team which drew 1-1 with Stenhousemuir at Ochilview last weekend.

Suspension ruled out Nathan Blockley with striker Jim Lister dropping to the bench. Mick O'Byrne was recalled to the starting line-up and Parker was drafted back into the forward line.

And manager Gary Bollan will have been encouraged with what he witnessed in the opening 15 minutes as the Diamonds put Arbroath under pressure.

In the seventh minute, on-loan Partick Thistle winger Caolan McAleer's cross-shot was kept out by visiting custodian Scott Morrison.

McAleer was then denied from distance by Morrison before a shot from Parker whistled just wide of the post.

But disaster struck in the 25th minute. Former Diamond Alan Cook sent a free-kick from the right flank high into the area which was headed home by Bradley Donaldson.

Bollan decided to make two substitutions during the interval with Willie McLaren and Lister coming on for Nicky Cadden and Lewis Coult.

And two goals in the space of two minutes around the hour mark turned this contest on its head and put Airdrie into a winning position.

Buchanan provided the equaliser in the 59th minute when he headed home a corner from McAleer with Parker tapping into an empty net after Morrison had parried Jamie Bain's long-range drive.

The Diamonds were dominant in the second half but it was still a nervy finish to the match due to the narrow advantage they held.

But they held on for a massive win and closed the gap to SPFL League One safety to five points while moving two points behind Arbroath who occupy the relegation play-off place.

Colin Paterson at New Broomfield.

Photographs © Robert Dalzell. Click to view full size.