Dumbarton 3-4 Airdrieonians

In recent years, the final games between Airdrie and Dumbarton have often been filled with drama and today was no different as the Diamonds came back from 3-1 down to secure another late win over the Sons.

Manager Rhys McCabe made five changes to the team that beat East Kilbride 8-0 on Tuesday night. Kieran Wright, Cammy Bruce, Lewis McGrattan, Chris Mochrie and Aaron Reid replaced Murray Johnson, joining Rhys Armstrong, Lewis McGregor and Ben Wilson.

The match, which began in sunny weather and ended in pouring rain, had been getting going for a while. Yet the early Airdrie surge saw Mason Hancock’s menacing cross blocked, Bruce’s tame effort blocked and McGrattan’s shot wide.

Matthew Shiels went close to scoring for Stevie Farrell’s side in the 11th minute, and Kieran Wright made a fingertip save from Michael Miller two minutes later.

A cross from Dylan MacDonald in the 18th minute unfortunately fell short just before Reid reached the penalty spot, with the big striker unable to push the ball past the bar.

Brett Long did well in the 25th minute, blocking a Reid effort and stopping Mochrie’s rebound with his outstretched leg.

Within a minute the home side took the lead, Finlay Gray stealing the ball from McGrattan just outside the penalty area and firing it superbly past Wright’s crossbar.

It wasn’t long before Airdrie levelled. Aidan Wilson flicked a long ball to Hancock, who delivered the ball to McGrattan at the near post. The former Morton man dived and headed the ball past Long for the equaliser.

The half-time score of 1-1 was a fair reflection of the game, but Dumbarton started the second half explosively and took a comfortable lead.

Two minutes after the restart Craig McGuffie found a deep cross, who intelligently headed the ball back to David Wilson. His effort was cleared by Wright, but only in the path of James Hilton, who made no mistake from five yards.

Four minutes later, Hilton had a chance to extend his team’s lead from the penalty spot after a cross hit MacDonald’s hand. Referee Lloyd Wilson awarded the penalty.

As Wright dived to his left, Hilton drove the ball to his right and the Sons took a two-goal lead.

The goal prompted Diamonds manager McCabe to make a four-way substitution: Armstrong, Frizzell, McGregor and Ben Wilson replaced Bruce, Mochrie, McGrattan and Bruce. The fresh legs provided an immediate spark.

Carlo Pignatiello made a good block for Wilson after Armstrong and Frizzell had combined on the right in the 56th minute. Ten minutes later, Dumbarton’s defence were called into action again when Hancock and Terrell Agyemang were threatened at the other end.

Airdrie got one back in the 66th minute, Aidan Wilson whipping a ball into the box and MacDonald providing a lovely touch to set up Armstrong. The midfielder reduced the deficit with a powerful strike that Long could only help into the net.

Aidan Wilson nearly got lucky with a cross in the 76th minute. The ball went towards goal but ended up above the net. Mouhamed Niang headed the ball just wide, leaving Dumbarton looking to restore their lead.

A typically fast run from McGrattan almost paid off with 11 minutes left, his first-time pass being blocked but his low shot cleared off the line.

In the 84th minute, Airdrie equalised again. McGregor went for the byline and saw Agyemang fire the ball past Long to make it 3-3.

There was more drama to come though and when Aidan Wilson poked Craig Watson’s blocked shot into the path of namesake Ben there could only be one outcome. The Northern Irishman took a touch and curled the ball into the top corner from close range, much to the delight of the travelling support.

Airdrie almost extended their lead in injury time when Frizzell fired a shot from 25 yards just wide of the post, with Dean McMaster trying from a similar distance but his shot hit the inside of the post.

Wilson’s strike was enough to win the game, however, and leaves Airdrie top of Group A with two wins from two. The Diamonds are ahead of Aberdeen on goal difference ahead of the sides’ meeting at Pittodrie on Tuesday night.

Stuart Mathie at Marbill Coaches Stadium.

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