Match report: Airdrieonians 2-1 Falkirk

The hosts took the lead in the eighth minute and it was a poor goal to concede from a Falkirk point of view as Paul McKay’s long throw in to the box was not dealt with and Ally Roy pounced to smash the ball home from 10 yards.

Roy and Jack McKay both had shots off target and Robbie Mutch was called in to action to tip over another Roy effort from another Paul McKay throw in.

From the resulting corner Mutch again produced a good save to deny Jack McKay.

Then, totally against the run of play, a moment of magic from Charlie Telfer had the Bairns level when the midfielder struck a right foot shot first time which swerved in to the bottom corner beautifully from the edge of the area on 33 minutes.

The second half was all about penalty decisions, first on 52 minutes when Telfer appeared to be scythed down just inside the box but referee Colin Steven, despite having a clear view, was not interested.

Five minutes later and Falkirk were awarded a penalty after Ben Hall was pushed by Paul McKay. This one looked far softer than the challenge on Telfer but was as much as they deserved.

Callumn Morrison had been taking the penalties this season but Aidan Keena, who has missed almost all the campaign through injury, took on the responsibility and it did not pay off as Currie was able to block his low effort away.

Both sides had chances before the hosts were awarded a penalty of their own on 79 minutes when Paul Dixon was judged to have brought down Roy.

Substitute Dale Carrick stepped up and smashed the ball low in to Mutch’s bottom left and although the keeper went the right way the power and precision had him beaten.

After that the Diamonds saw out the final ten minutes to secure the three points.