McMaster (45), G Gallagher (63) DUNFERMLINE ATH 1
Fagan-Walcott (60)
Ecstatic Airdrie boss Rhys McCabe praised his troops as they all but sealed a precious play-off place.
McCabe was thrilled to see his side move nine points ahead of rivals Dunfermline.
Dean McMaster’s 45th-minute strike gave the Diamonds a precious firsthalf lead but Malachi Fagan-Walcott equalised on the hour mark for James McPake’s visitors, before substitute Gavin Gallagher hit the winner.
Now Airdrie require just a single point from their remaining three games to guarantee a crack at the play-offs.
McCabe said: “It’s a very good result and we’re just about there.
“I said to the lads before the game that it was a real six-pointer because Dunfermline were round about us.
“But our goal difference is better than Dunfermline, so it puts us in a really positive position.”
It was a brisk start from both sides amid the swirling wind and the visitors created the best early chance in 15 minutes. A diagonal switch from Pars
captain Kyle Benedictus caught out the Diamonds defence to allow full-back Josh Edwards to sneak in behind them.
Edwards attempted to dink the ball past home keeper Robbie Hemfrey from a tight angle but couldn’t find the net.
Airdrie were knocking the ball about well but took until the 37th minute to force the first save from visiting keeper Deniz Mehmet.
Charlie Telfer set up Gabby McGill, whose powerful shot on the drop from 20 yards was fisted away by Mehmet.
But the Diamonds made the breakthrough on the stroke of halftime. Telfer worked a short corner with McMaster, who cut inside before firing an unstoppable strike past Mehmet.
Adam Frizzell almost increased Airdrie’s lead at the start of the second half but Mehmet was equal to his curling shot from the edge of the box.
The Pars levelled when Matty Todd’s corner was met by Fagan-Walcott, who side-footed home at the back post.
The Diamonds regained the upper hand just three minutes later. From a quick free-kick, the ball fell to Gallagher, who lashed home from 12 yards.
Dunfermline boss McPake said: “We got exactly what we deserved. In the first half, we were outrun, outfought and outplayed, so credit to Airdrie for that, but we were poor.”