A disappointing performance at Stair Park saw Stranraer outshine the Diamonds.

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Airdrie had been hoping to build upon two excellent results ahead of the international break, but the Blues had different ideas.

 

The Diamonds made two changes to the side that defeated Alloa last time out – with David Brownlie replacing departed trialist Conrad Balantoni and Sean McIntosh taking the place of the injured Jake Hastie.

 

The opening stages of the match saw the visitors carve out a few half chances, with Luke Watt testing Cameron Belford from distance before Liam Dick almost turned an Airdrie cross into his own net. 

 

That chance saw Marc Fitzpatrick dismissed from the Airdrie dug-out, as he protested that Dick’s effort amounted to a backpass.

 

The hosts took the lead on the ten-minute mark. A neat through pass caught out Scott Stewart and allowed Grant Anderson to collect the ball and curl an effort into the top corner past Rohan Ferguson.

 

Stranraer should have doubled their advantage only moments later, as a Ryan Wallace cutback was headed towards goal. Ferguson got down well to block though, and Airdrie were able to scramble the ball clear. 

 

Scott Agnew was next to test the Airdrie defence coming close twice in ten minutes. Some neat build up play by Wallace teed up the midfielder who fired narrowly over the bar. He then followed this up with a powerful effort from just inside the eighteen yard box, but Ferguson was able to parry it away. 

 

Wallace had chances of his own in what was a dominant spell from Stranraer. First, the striker whipped a free kick towards goal, but it was easily gathered by Ferguson. Then, moments later, he saw a fierce drive whistle just over the bar.

 

Despite the pressure, the Diamonds found themselves still very much in the game as the second half got underway.

 

Airdrie were to make the brighter start after the interval and fired a warning shot across the bow in the fifty first minute of the match. Some good hold up play by Ryan Tierney allowed Airdrie to counter attack – the striker found trialist Willis Furtado, who played in Kieran MacDonald. The full-back drove a cross towards goal but the Stranraer defence were able to clear and deny Tom Fry from close range. 

 

Five minutes later, Airdrie got themselves back on level terms, when another quick counter saw Furtado clean through on goal. He kept his composure to slip the ball past the on-rushing Belford.

 

However, the Airdrie resurgence was to be short lived. On 65 minutes, Stewart was turned inside the box by Wallace and the Airdrie defender pulled the striker back. Referee Gavin Ross had no hesitation in pointing to the spot as Wallace went to ground. Agnew stepped up and slotted a cool penalty into the bottom corner, sending Ferguson the wrong way.

 

Matters were to get worse for the Diamonds just moments later, as Anderson wove his way through a static Airdrie defence before smashing a shot past Ferguson.  

 

At 3-1 down, it was always going to be an uphill battle for the away side. However, they were given a lifeline when Scott Robertson was red carded for a blatant kick at Fry, after the Airdrie midfielder had fallen on the ball.

 

Airdrie tried to up their game and tested Belford on the 78th minute, as a Ryan Conroy free kick was driven toward the bottom corner – but the keeper was able to get down and make a smart save.

 

That was to be as close as the Diamonds were to come though, as the match fizzled out and ended with Airdrie suffering their second defeat of this season. 

 

Overall, it was a very poor day at the office for Airdrie, and the Diamonds will be looking to make amends next week when East Fife visit New Broomfield.

 

Referee: Mr Gavin Ross

Attendance: 431