Airdrieonians 3 PARS 4

DUNFERMLINE staged an incredible fightback from three goals down to complete a stunning victory at Airdrieonians this afternoon.

After Craig Wighton had an early effort disallowed, Gabby McGill, against his former club, and Calum Gallagher put the Diamonds two goals up at the interval, before Robbie Mahon's own goal, under pressure from McGill, early in the second half increased their lead to three.

However, after ex-Par, Callum Smith, saw red, and conceded a penalty, which Kyle Benedictus netted, just after the hour mark, it prompted an amazing comeback.

Matty Todd's double, taking his tally for the season to nine, hauled the visitors level, before substitute Nikolay Todorov netted an unbelievable winner with five minutes left.

The result lifts Dunfermline seven points clear of Falkirk at the top of League One, and 13 clear of the third-top Diamonds, who visit KDM Group East End Park next weekend.

Speaking afterwards, James McPake wasn't happy with his side's first half show, remarking that Athletic were "outfought" and were "nowhere near the standard that great away support" deserved.

However, he said: "I think, the three things that do come out of that, over the course of the 94, 95 minutes, was the character we showed to get back in the game, the three points, and the performances of the subs that came on. They were outstanding.

"That is the positive, and the players deserve a lot of credit for licking their wounds at half time, coming out, and performing, because that's not easy, when you're 3-0 down."

The scenes of celebration between fans, players and the coaching team at full time were a joy to behold, and it could be a hugely significant win in the context of the title race.

The visitors were boosted by the signing yesterday (Friday) of Celtic B captain, Ewan Otoo, and the 20-year-old defender was named on the bench.

The starting eleven remained unchanged from that which defeated Montrose last weekend, whilst the Diamonds also went with the same side from their win over Clyde.

Airdrie's player/boss, Rhys McCabe, was one of four ex-Pars in his side's starting line-up, alongside his number two, Callum Fordyce, and strikers, Smith and McGill, whilst a fifth, keeper David Hutton, was on the bench.

A healthy travelling support made it to North Lanarkshire for this rearranged fixture - it had been due to be played in December, but was called off due to a frozen pitch - hoping to see their side move seven points clear of nearest challengers, Falkirk, with a win.

The hosts, in third and 10 points behind their opponents at the start of play, were aiming to put the pressure on both the Pars and the Bairns, with a trip to East End, and a home tie with the latter, to come in their next two fixtures.

Kyle MacDonald, against his former club, sent an effort over which set the tone for an end-to-end opening 20 minutes, with both teams going at it with intent.

Opportunities arrived at both ends; Smith and McGill were denied by Deniz Mehmet, whilst Lewis McCann was denied by Josh Rae, and Todd shot wide, before the Pars were, controversially, denied an opener in the 17th minute.

Wighton rose well to head the ball home at the back post from a cross on the right, but referee, Gavin Duncan, and his assistant chalked it off, with debate raging as to whether it was for a foul or offside.

And, from that moment onwards, Dunfermline's day seemed as though it was beginning to disintegrate.

The home side began to take a grip on proceedings and, after Adam Frizzell shot over, and then was denied by Aaron Comrie's last-ditch tackle, they took the lead just before the half hour.

Joe Chalmers was caught in possession in midfield and, after getting in behind the Pars defence from a flighted ball over the top, McGill stole in to net from inside the box.

McPake reacted by subbing the booked Chris Hamilton, and Chalmers, in favour of Mahon and Otoo, but Dunfermline still struggled to find any momentum.

Gallagher tried to catch Mehmet out from distance, after the Pars again lost the ball in midfield, but, six minutes from half-time, the Diamonds did double their lead.

Frizzell was involved, playing the ball inside the box for Gallagher who, in space from 12 yards, sent the ball beyond the helpless Mehmet.

It was a nightmare first half, and McPake again went to his bench at the break, sending on Chris Mochrie for MacDonald, and his side opened the second period brightly.

McCann saw a curler pushed over well by Josh Rae in the Airdrie goal but, four minutes after half-time, it appeared game over when Mahon got the final touch, under pressure from McGill, to Euan Deveney's cross.

However, when Rae, booked in the first half for taking out McCann after racing out of his box to try and intercept the ball on the left, wasn't booked for a second time, despite handling outside his area when claiming Todd's through pass, the momentum seemed to turn.

A frustrated Pars side forced their way back into it just after the hour mark when ex-Athletic man Smith handled inside the box, after Wighton, then Mahon, tried to get shots in on goal.

He was ordered off as a penalty was given, which Benedictus confidently put away to give the visitors hope.

From there, McPake's men played with greater intensity and began to put the pressure on.

Mahon and Rhys Breen were denied by Rae, whilst Josh Edwards struck the side netting, before Todd, from the edge of the box, curled home a beauty via the post after Mahon had rolled the ball into his path.

Already renewed belief was lifted still further, with the travelling fans roaring their side on, and chances continued to come.

Rae did well to save a low drive from Mochrie, before clutching on the line as Wighton tried to force home from an Aaron Comrie header, but, with nine minutes to go, the Pars did pull level.

Todd, with his second of the game, sent a deflected, low shot beyond Rae from 18 yards and, from there, an unlikely winner suddenly seemed on.

And, with five minutes to go, they got it when Wighton swept a fine ball into the box for Todorov, who finished brilliantly first time to send the away fans delirious and seal what could be a huge win in the title race.

Match stats

Airdrieonians: Rae, Ballantyne, Taylor-Sinclair, McCabe, Fordyce, Gallagher (Byrd 78), Frizzell (Devenny 67), Smith, Deveney, Telfer (Stanway 77), McGill (McGregor 77).

Subs not used: Kouider-Aissa, McMaster, Watson, Prince, Hutton.

Goals: McGill (29), Mahon (OG, 49), Gallagher (39).

Red card: Smith (60).

Booked: Rae (19).

Pars: Mehmet, MacDonald (Mochrie 45), Comrie, Benedictus, Breen (O'Hara 64), Edwards, Hamilton (Mahon 32), Chalmers (Otoo 32), Todd, Wighton, McCann (Todorov 78).

Subs not used: Fenton, Ritchie-Hosler, Tod, Little.

Goals: Benedictus (61, pen), Todd (67, 81)), Todorov (85).

Booked: Hamilton (6) Referee: Gavin Duncan.