Published: Monday, 8th March, 2010 2:09pm

Bell strikes for Pars to leave Diamonds cut-up

Pars 2 Airdrie United 0

STEVEN Bell was at the heart of Pars first home league win of 2010 after tumbling for a penalty and bulleting home a header for the killer second goal.

The midfielder may not be every fan's cup of tea but he was in good form here and earned praise from boss Jim McIntyre.

It could have been a different story though as Airdrie had a shot cleared off the line while Greg Fleming made a point blank save before Bell struck.

Pars had plenty of possession in the first half but Andy Kirk was too often isolated up front and they struggled to get in behind the away defence.

The first opportunity saw Fleming just manage to push an awkward bouncing drive from Diarmuid O'Carroll round the post before Kirk flashed a header over the top from Joe Cardle's corner.

John Baird threatened after a poor clearance from Fleming - Calum Woods blocked the shot - and the natives were getting restless.

Pars played some nice pass-and-move but it was all in front of the Airdrie defence.

They finally got a sight of goal in 25 minutes when Kirk's simple ball over the top and the pace of Graham worried Tom Parratt.

He tried to haul the striker back but Graham shrugged him off and then fired wide with only the keeper to beat.

Kirk smashed a free kick into the wall and a storming run from Austin McCann briefly lifted the fans, but it was scoreless at the break after a dull opening 45 minutes.

It livened up with a dust-up between Graham and Airdrie's Marc Smyth and a few tasty challenges put tempers on edge.

Airdrie were fuming in 52 minutes when keeper Stephen Robertson was judged to have brought down Bell for a penalty - the following challenge on Cardle as the ball broke free could also have been a spot kick.

Kirk didn't let the protests bother him, confidently sending Robertson the wrong way.

The sense of injustice fired up Airdrie though and Woods somehow cleared an O'Carroll shot off the line in 62 minutes.

Fleming saved a Scott Gemmill header and Simon Storey nodded wide as Kenny Black's men threatened an equaliser.

McIntyre brought both Nick Phinn and Willie Gibson on and the subs added some spark to Pars attack.

Gibson gave Airdrie a warning with a vicious free kick that Bell just failed to get a touch to at the back post.

But it needed Fleming to stop Airdrie, the keeper throwing up a hand to stop sub Paul Keegan's close range header crossing the line with seven minutes left.

Pars also threw on Steven McDougall - back after an injury lay-off - and he forced Robertson into a smart save after Graham poked the ball through to him.

But Pars wrapped it up in 87 minutes and it was all down to the quality of the delivery from Gibson.

His free kick was just begging to be attacked and Bell slipped his marker to head home.

McIntyre said, "The ball in from Willie was sensational - he's well capable of that - and I was delighted for Bell as he had a couple of efforts before that he didn't manage to convert.

"He's been good for us, he gives us a physical presence in the middle of the park but we ground out the result today.

"We were never comfortable at any stage and it was a real battle."

He added, "To try and play passing football on that pitch was very difficult, it was so bobbly and the ball was bouncing all over the shop.

"We had to go more direct in the second half and I thought we looked more threatening."