A last-gasp equaliser from supersub Liam Coogans saw Airdrieonians come from behind to earn a vital point at Stair Park on Saturday.

The teenage striker diverted fellow sub Nicky Cadden's shot into the bottom corner of the net to cancel out Jamie Longworth's opener for Stranraer.

The Diamonds made one change to the team which started the 5-1 thrashing of Forfar Athletic at New Broomfield last weekend.

Scott Stewart, son of Airdrie legend Sandy, was handed his full debut for the club with Cadden dropping to the bench. On-loan Partick Thistle winger Caolan McAleer was suspended.

The first half was a reasonably quiet affair. Both teams were committed and full of running but few clearcut goalscoring opportunities were fashioned at either end of the pitch.

In the 15th minute, a nice passage of play which heavily involved Longworth resulted in the top scorer for the Blues firing in a shot that was well blocked by Grant Adam.

Gary Bollan's men responded five minutes later. Paddy Boyle's cross into the area bounced up for Stefan Milojevic but he couldn't get enough purchase on his header and David Mitchell saved easily.

It was Stranraer who eventually broke the deadlock early in the second half. Andy Stirling sent over a cross from the left flank which found Longworth who volleyed home his 22nd goal of the season.

The Blues had a chance to make it 2-0 in the 67th minute but Adam was down to his right sharply to turn wide Sean Winter's drive.

Bollan threw on Coogans as time ran out and it proved an inspired decision as he levelled with his first touch after being in the right place at the right time.

Stranraer had one more effort on goal as they searched for the winner but Mark Docherty's fierce left-foot strike was smothered by the excellent Adam.

It's now just one defeat in 11 games for Airdrie who have drawn level on points with seventh-placed Brechin City in the League One table. But they are just a point clear of East Fife, in the relegation play-off spot, after their 2-1 success at Forfar Athletic.

Colin Paterson at Stair Park.

Photographs © Robert Dalzell. Click to view full size.