Airdrie moved into the top four in the Championship after ending a run of five league games without a win.The Diamonds, who hadn't tasted victory since a 1-0 win at Morton on September 30, claimed all three points courtesy of Liam McStravick's first half strike and a second half effort from substitute Lewis McGregor to lift them into the play-off spots in the second tier.And it will be a particularly sweet one for the New Broomfield faithful after a 4-0 hammering at Gayfield when the sides met earlier in the season.
It leaves Arbroath on a run of four straight defeats.Airdrie are now three points clear of fifth-place Dunfermline heading into a break from league action, although the Pars have two games in hand.The Diamonds made five changes from the midweek win over Rangers B in the last 16 of the SPFL Trust Trophy, as Elliot Dunlop, Lewis McGregor, Gabby McGill, Josh O’Connor and Calum Gallagher all dropped out.
Liam McStravick, Aaron Taylor-Sinclair, Kanayo Megwa, Nikolay Todorov and Dean McMaster came in to replace them. In four minutes Airdrie had a good chance for the opener when a superb pick out from Megwa found Cammy Ballantyne darting into the centre of the penalty area.
The defender got on the end of his cross with a good volley, but Lichties keeper Derek Gaston was equal to it.Arbroath created their first opening in 10 minutes when Jay Bird worked his way into the box, evaded a sliding tackle and then firing at goal from 10 yards.
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