DUNFERMLINE grabbed an injury-time equaliser to deny the Diamonds a vital win in their battle to beat the drop. The points appeared to be staying in Lanarkshire when the home side went ahead through Darren Smith in 83 minutes, but Greg Ross was credited with the final touch as Pars levelled deep in stoppage time.
Airdrie created the first genuine chance when Paul Di Giacomo, released by Willie McLachlan, cut inside before seeing his netbound shot saved by Paul Gallacher.
Callum Woods caused problems for the Diamonds when he ignored Steven Bell on the over
lap and cut inside before drawing an important save from Stephen Robertson.
The Airdrie keeper was to remain in the thick of the action as Dunfermline began to dominate and the home side had a let off when Bell headed Woods' cross firmly into the net only for the effort to be ruled out for a push.
David Graham then sent another fine chance wide following good work by Nicky Phinn before Robertson kept Airdrie level with a sensational save on the stroke of half-time.
A Stephen Glass thunderbolt from 35 yards was destined for the top right-hand corner until the keeper threw himself full length to tip it over.
The Diamonds thought they had secured three precious points when substitute Smith curled in a superb free kick in 83 minutes. However, Ross bundled in an injury time equaliser after Robertson failed to gather Austin McCann's cross.
The full article contains 249 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
