Airdrie United 4 - 4 Livingston: Lions tamed as 10-man Airdrie bite back

Published on Saturday 7 March 2009 18:49

Scorers - Airdrie Utd: Baird 8, 64; Di Giacomo 54; Smyth 66; Livingston: Griffiths 42, 57; One 43, 51

AIRDRIE'S Joe Cardle was dismissed for an altercation with his own team-mate Mark Smyth in a sensational match at the Excelsior Stadium that ended with Smyth the hero as he headed in his side's equaliser.

The home side went ahead in eight minutes when Cardle danced in from the left and evaded two challenges before sliding the ball across for John Baird to hit a low left-foot shot home. Livingston turned things around before half time with two goals in the space of a minute. Leigh Griffiths was left unmarked at the far post from a corner kick on 42 minutes and headed in. Less than 60 seconds later Tony McParland crossed for Armand One to volley home.

Airdrie boss Kenny Black sent his side back into the wind and rain five minutes before their visitors, but it was Livi who scored again in 51 minutes to start a frantic 16-minute period.

One collected a free kick before turning and firing in a shot from 20 yards. However, two minutes later Matt Hazley had a shot cleared off the line by Danny Griffin. Airdrie were not to be denied and Paul Di Giacomo rose to head home when Hazley crossed the ball back in.

Griffiths restored Livi's two-goal advantage when he broke free on the right and fired in a drive that Robertson could only help into the net. This was obviously too much for Cardle who ran for 20 yards before barging into Smyth and was promptly sent off.

Three minutes later Airdrie pulled a goal back when Baird shot home Darren Smith's cutback and Smyth made it four goals apiece when he headed home shortly afterwards.