Airdrie United 3 - 3 Dunfermline: Pars grab draw

By JACK ROBERTSON AT EXCELSIOR STADIUM
Published on 10/03/2013 00:59

WITH Dunfermline Athletic’s survival at stake in the next few weeks, their players certainly produced a never-say-
die spirit at Airdrie.

Scorers: Airdrie United: Blackley 11; Donnelly 53; McLaren 85; Dunfermline: Husband 22; Wallace 86; Kirk 90

They have not been paid in full recently but they repaid their loyal fans here with a great fightback. Losing 3-1 with five minutes left, the Pars somehow grabbed a draw which damages Airdrie’s attempt to avoid relegation.

The hosts took the lead on 11 minutes with Nathan Blockley sending home a glancing header from eight yards after Willie McLaren’s cross.

Pars keeper Paul Gallacher kept his side in the game with a brilliant diving save to push away Gregor Buchanan’s header from another McLaren cross. Having survived that scare Stephen Husband produced a stunning equaliser with a free-kick from 27 yards.

Dunfermline went close on 38 minutes with Ryan Wallace sending a volley just past after a great cross from Dargo.

Airdrie went ahead on 53 minutes with Ryan Donnelly shooting home before McLaren fired home on the breakaway in the 85th minute to make it 3-1.Wallace reduced the deficit a minute later with a 25-yard screamer and then incredibly sub Andy Kirk pounced to level in stoppage time.