This was a game which neither could take full advantage of, but both will be happy with a point apiece.
It was certainly a far cry from the 5-0 victory Airdrie enjoyed over Stirling in the League Cup a couple of weeks ago. Stirling were the first to launch an attack, earning a corner in the first minute which the home side were lucky to defend.
In only the fourth minute the writing was on the wall for another dominant display from Airdrie, as the ball fell to John Boyle who was able to turn and put the ball in the back of the net to make it 1-0.
They could have had a second goal minutes later, Fraser Keast firing a shot just wide of the goal. Stirling then went on the counter attack and Scott Davidson had a shot that went narrowly over the bar.
Davidson was involved again after linking up with Darren Smith, and Airdrie ‘keeper Paul McKane rushed off his line and collided with Davidson as he saved the ball. Despite claims from Jocky Scott, the referee waved away the penalty shouts.
Airdrie youngster Ryan Donnelly had a few shots on target but could never find the final product. Davidson though had learned from his earlier mistakes.
Stirling winger Lewis Bonar nutmegged Chris Malone and played the ball to Davidson in the middle of the box who slotted in the equaliser. Bonar nearly put the away side in front – despite looking offside – but his shot went wide.
In the second half the Diamonds had some of the earlier chances, the best of which fell to Donnelly after a cross from half-time sub Phil Johnston but Donnelly couldn’t control his shot on the bounce.
The Binos couldn’t make the most of the home side’s poor defending, Bonar’s volley stopped only by McKane on the line, the away side thinking the ball had crossed the line but the officials disagreed.
It was McKane to the rescue again in injury time, this time Jamie Bain being skillfully beaten by Alan Cook who crossed to Smith – who’ll still be wondering how McKane was able to save his shot.
A point gained maybe for Jimmy Boyle’s men who stay in 7th, but Jocky Scott will be looking for an improvement from his strikers next week.
Airdrie Utd: McKane, Bain, Lilley (Hill 56), Stallard, Malone, Keast, Lynch, Owens (Johnston 46), Stevenson, Boyle (Holmes 66), Donnelly.
Subs Not Used: Devlin, Fairley. Booked: Lilley, Malone.
Stirling: Filler, Jacobs, Allison, Thom, Crawley, Bonar (Gavin McPherson 88), Fagan, McCulloch, Flood (Cook 77), Davieson, Smith.
Subs Not Used: McLeish, Nicholas, Kerr.
Att: 709
Ref: Des Roache
