Saturday April 25, 2015
SPFL League One
Peterhead
0-1
Airdrieonians
Lindsay 83
Liam Lindsay's late header secured a deserved win for Airdrie, but results elsewhere meant the Diamonds were consigned to another season in League One.
On-loan Partick defender Lindsay rose highest to bullet home Scott Fraser's 83rd minute corner at a blustery Balmoor Stadium, but Airdrie's efforts were ultimately in vain as Brechin came from two down at Ochilview to secure the point that ensured their play-off status.
The results leave Gary Bollan and his players to rue a poor start to a season which didn't see an Airdrie win until the end of September. Form since the turn of the year has improved immeasurably, and all those of a Diamond persuasion can look forward to next season with renewed optimism.
Captain and Player of the Year Paddy Boyle returned to an otherwise unchanged starting line-up to face a Peterhead side who were so far unbeaten against the Diamonds.
An uneventful first half was frequently broken up by fouls, and neither side saw much goalmouth action before the interval.
The second 45 was a different story, and Airdrie dominated play from the outset, going close through Ross Docherty and Bob McHugh.
The home side made changes in formation and personnel in an attempt to stem the tide, but the Diamonds' midfield was enjoying total control of the match.
With seven minutes remaining, Scott Fraser picked out fellow loanee Liam Lindsay with a corner, and the Partick Thistle man despatched his header to give Airdrie a deserved lead.
Nervous checks were made on the scoreline at Stenhousemuir, where Brechin had come back from an early two goal deficit to draw level, and the hosts were down to ten men.
Airdrie saw out their match with the minimum of fuss, but unfortunately Brechin did the same and the Glebe Park men clinched the fourth and final play-off spot.
Airdrie's win, coupled with a defeat for Dunfermline Athletic, means that the Monklands men are guaranteed fifth position and are playing for pride when they welcome the Pars to New Broomfield in next Saturday's season closer.
While the play-offs are now out of reach, the prospect of further meetings with the likes of Dunfermline - as well as four local derbies with rivals Albion Rovers - mean that next season's challenge will be every bit as interesting.
Stuart Mathie.