McKay earns a point for Diamonds in injury time

I believe we would win most weeks.” Airdrieonians rescued a point in injury time after a second-half turnaround against 10man Stranraer.

The Diamonds found themselves under early pressure from a series of corners after good work from Blues man James Hilton out wide caused concern.

It was from the corner that Jordan Allan rose highest to meet the cross at the near post to put the visitors in front.

The shot had come down off the crossbar before goalkeeper Reece Willison cleared the ball, but it was judged to have crossed the line.

It was the two before the break as Andy Stirling ‘s clever footwork allowed him to cut inside from the left and supply Hilton, who found space and stretched to prod the ball into the bottom corner.

In the second half the New Broomfield men started to impress against the League One strugglers, and would get a goal back as loanee Callum Smith met Nat Wedderburn’s knockdown in 66 minutes.

As substitute David Dangana attempted an overhead kick, he would receive a red card for the Blues. This sparked angry scenes as Sean Crighton attempted to escorted the Aberdeen loanee from the park.

The Diamonds would save a point from the game as Adam Eckersley’s free-kick found Calum Gallagher, for Paul McKay to prod the ball in dramatic fashion.

After the final whistle, Airdrie boss Ian Murray was delighted with the stoppage time leveller: “My players showed a great reaction after being two goals down at half-time.

“My team have far more quality than they have shown recently.” earned their place in the next round.

“If I’m honest the only disappointing thing for me was that we could have won by more,” he told the Advertiser.

“It’s pleasing to score five, but I think we created enough to have had a more comfortable margin.

“It’s a couple of mistakes that cost us on goal, but his final effort was straight at Gareth Halford in the home goal.

Gartcairn grew in to the match and Jamie Leslie saw an effort come back off the post, before Scott Johnson saved with his feet from the rebound.

The hosts would take the lead as Gary Arbuckle rounded the Lanark keeper Lindsay linked well before a low ball went right across the Gartcairn goal with Kerr just missing the ball at the back post.

Lanark pulled a goal back when great work from Lindsay saw him round Halford and his cut back was rammed home for by Kerr. kick of the match when a slip on the left allowed Shiels to tap in another.

Debutant Thomas Ross was also praised for his efforts. McKenzie added: “Thomas has been training with us and we finally signed him. I’ve been really impressed with him and it will really help his fitness that he got 90 minutes.”