Smith’s equaliser preserves title hope

Callum Smith bagged the goal that could keep Airdrie’s League One title hopes alive as they fought from behind to draw with leaders Cove Rangers at the Balmoral Stadium.

An improved second-half display saw the Diamonds roar back into the game.

A sizeable Airdrie support travelled up for the top-of-the-table clash and were treated to an entertaining game in blustery but bright conditions.

Cove started brightly and top scorer Rory Mcallister had two attempts at an early strike, which was deflected into the side-netting after six minutes.

But it took them just 60 more seconds to break the deadlock, when Harry Milne played a neat one-two with captain Mitch Megginson before firing a crisp shot past Max Currie.

Cove pinned Airdrie back in the early stages and Brody Paterson kept Airdrie in the game with a superb goal-line clearance in 15 minutes.

Airdrie’s first attempt on goal came a minute later when Stuart Mckenzie saved Rhys Mccabe’s audacious lobbed effort from his own half.

Fraser Fyvie saw his effort well saved by Currie, and Mccabe sent an angled shot over Mckenzie only to see it crash off the woodwork.

Scott Agnew flashed a volley over, and Dylan Easton saw an effort cleared off the line by Connor Scully, after lobbing the ball over Mckenzie.

Currie saved well from Megginson, before Paterson saw his shot deflected wide.

An outstanding last-gasp challenge by Paterson prevented Mcallister from doubling Cove’s lead early in the second half, and the same player struck the crossbar shortly after that.

There were flurries at both ends, but

Airdrie levelled in 73 minutes when Mccabe raced out of defence and threaded the ball through to Smith, who touched the ball away from a defender and kept his composure to slot a shot past Mckenzie.

Megginson forced a good save from Currie and Smith was denied a quickfire second as play raged up the other end.

Both sides made midfield changes after that, though, and the game petered out in a draw.

With four of the five League One matches ending in draws, no ground was made or lost at the top, with Airdrie remaining seven points behind the leaders.

Leveller Callum Smith races away to celebrate his goal (Pic by John Steven)