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A stunning strike from Adam Frizzell and Calum Gallagher’s first goal of the season earned Airdrie a maiden home win in League One.
The Diamonds struck in each half to sting Barry Ferguson’s Wasps – who pulled one back through substitute Connor Sammon – and end their three game unbeaten run.
The victory sees Ian Murray’s men leapfrog Alloa in the table, moving up to sixth in the standings and now four points adrift of league leaders Queen’s Park.
Airdrie boss Ian Murray went with the same side that started Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Queen’s Park, as striker Callum Smith remained sidelined after picking up a knock in training last week, while Salim Kouider-Aissa was fit enough for the bench after his recent absence.
And it was the hosts whop threatened first with Adam Frizzell flashing an early effort inches wide of ex-Diamond David Hutton’s left-hand post inside the third minute.
(Image: SNS Group)
A cheeky attempted lob from distance by Rhys McCabe had Hutton hurrying back towards his goal, but again the effort fell just wide of the target.
It proved to be third time lucky for the Diamonds, though, as they found the breakthrough in 12 minutes. Craig Watson whipped in a fantastic cross and it landed on the head of Gallagher, whose initial effort was saved well by Hutton before he hammered home the rebound.
Euan Henderson soon called Max Currie into action for the first time with a low strike from the edge of the box, but it was comfortably held by the Diamonds keeper.
Just after the half hour mark, McCabe came within a whisker of making it 2-0 when Frizzell was fouled by Adam King 20 yards from goal and the former Rangers man curled the free-kick inches over the target.
(Image: SNS Group)
Five minutes into the second half, Airdrie doubled their advantage in style. Frizzell latched on to Dylan Easton’s pass and from the edge of the box he produced a fine finish with the outside of his left foot to find the top corner, giving Hutton no chance.
The Wasps almost stung the hosts with an instant response when a corner from the right found skipper Mark Durnan, but his header was superbly cleared off the line by Rico Quitongo.
Ferguson threw caution to the wind with a double substitution, throwing on Sammon and Daniel Church for Kevin Cawley and Mouhamed Niang.
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And in 62 minutes Sammon pulled one back, holding up Stefan Scougall’s pass before turning his marker and curling a low strike into the bottom corner.
The Wasps were a much dangerous proposition with Sammon’s height and physicality asking questions of the Diamonds’ defence.
Sammon’s dummy in the box in 72 minutes fell for Henderson but he scuffed his strike wide of the post from a good position, but Airdrie managed to hang on to maximum points.
The Diamonds are back in league action on Saturday when they host East Fife.
AIRDRIE: Currie, Quitongo, Fordyce, McCabe, Agnew, Gallagher, Easton, Watson, Frizzell, G McGill (Caves 80), S McGill.
Scorers: Gallagher 12, Frizzell 51
Bookings:
Subs not used: Cantley, Ritchie, Allan, McDonald, Walker, Kouider-Aissa.
ALLOA: Hutton, Taggart, Durnan, Mendy, Robertson, Niang (Church 55), King, Cawley (Sammon 55), Scougall (Graham 70), Henderson, Boyd.
Scorers: Sammon 62
Bookings: Taggart, King, Durnan
Subs not used: Burt, Howie, Lamont, O’Donnell.
Ref: Chris Fordyce
HT: 1-0
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