AIRDRIE came from behind to secure a deserved victory from a match played in wintry conditions at the Excelsior Stadium.
The Blue Brazil made the ideal start when Stephen McConalogue fired them in front after three minutes. John Armstrong collect
ed Pat Scullion's pass before crossing for McConalogue who netted from close range.
Despite falling behind early on, the Diamonds were the better team and Steven McDougall deservedly levelled from Kevin McDonald's pass. Stuart Noble then fired Airdrie in front ten minutes before the interval with a header from Allan Russell's corner.
Airdrie continued to dominate in difficult conditions after the break and Russell put the result beyond doubt when he fired home from Ricky Waddle's pinpoint corner kick.
ALLOA 3 ROSS COUNTY 1
ALLOA recorded their sixth successive home victory to inflict a shock defeat on league leaders Ross County at Recreation Park.
The Wasps took an early lead when Graham Brown opened the scoring after four minutes. Joe Agnew swung the ball into the box and Brown found himself unmarked to head home.
Scott Agnew extended Alloa's advantage midway through the first half in unusual circumstances. He netted direct from a corner kick as the County defence failed to deal with the ball despite having three men on the line. Chris Townsley made sure of victory with Alloa's third goal of the afternoon 20 minutes into the second half.
Andy Dowie pulled a goal back for County but it was little more than a consolation.
BERWICK 1 QUEEN'S PARK 1
BASEMENT club Berwick secured a valuable point as they came from behind to draw with Billy Stark's men.
The visitors were the better team in the opening quarter of the match and they deservedly broke the deadlock after 25 minutes. Berwick Rangers keeper Gary O'Connor inexplicably failed to gather a long ball from Spiders midfielder Mark Ferry and presented Steven McGrady with the simplest of opportunities to knock the ball into the back of the net.
David Greenhill got Berwick's equaliser after 74 minutes with a well-placed back-post header. Kevin Davison flighted in a cross from the left flank and Greenhill made no mistake with his header. Both sides had chances to score a winning goal in the final ten minutes but a draw was a fair result.
PETERHEAD 3 AYR UTD 0
PETERHEAD recorded their first victory in four matches at Balmoor but they were made to battle all the way against ten-man Ayr United.
Ayr were faced with an uphill battle following the dismissal of Gareth Warldaw after only 15 minutes. Referee Scott MacDonald had no hesitation in brandishing a straight red card after the Ayr man threw a punch at Peterhead's Stuart Mackay.
Peterhead eventually capitalised when former Aberdeen striker Andy Bagshaw fired them in front after 58 minutes. Graham Sharp swung in a corner and second half substitute Bagshaw netted at the near post. It wasn't until three minutes from the end that Peterhead found their second goal with Bobby Mann scoring from the spot. Stuart Mackay added the third goal deep into injury time.
RAITH ROVERS 1 BRECHIN CITY 1
RAITH Rovers moved level on points with Ross County at the top of the table after they were held to a surprise draw by struggling Brechin City.
Brechin came into the match with only one win all season but their first-half performance belied their lowly league position and Darren Smith fired them in front five minutes before the interval.
The Brechin man picked the ball up on the edge of the area before unleashing a powerful effort that flew through a crowded area and into the back of the net.
Former Ranger defender Marvin Andrews secured a share of the points for the Kirkcaldy outfit with a trademark headed goal after 69 minutes, rising above the static Brechin defence to connect with Robert Sloan's corner kick.
The full article contains 653 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
