Just as against Forfar last Saturday, Airdrie played some nice possession football, but it was our opponents who made the better chances. Former Diamonds, Mark Nelson and Sean Sweeney, had marshalled the Accies defence superbly, but despite creating half a dozen first half chances the Airdrie goal led a charmed life as Armstrong and Graham passed up scoring possibilities. Indeed it took Airdrie till 3.45pm to get a decent effort on target, when Glancy and Docherty both had chances.

The second half only seemed moments old when Airdrie had a good chance to take the lead. Good work by Glancy and McGuire had created space in the box and the ball ended dropping invitingly for Jimmy Boyle. The wee winger should have blasted the ball but instead chipped back accross goal and the chance was gone. Worse still the ball was played up the park and Accies were one up. The ball came in from their left, and their striker Armstrong had the time to pick his spot with a clinical finish from the edge of the box. The reliable looking McGeown in our goals had no chance.

Photo is copyright of Robert Dalzell and is used with permission

Airdrie huffed and puffed in search for an equaliser but simply didn't have the neccessary penetration. McGuire, Glancy, Docherty, and Gardner probed and probed but to no avail. Sandy brought on Armstrong for Boyle which did add impetus to the attack, and brought on Ronald (cue more tumbleweed moments) for Vella in what should have been an attacking move. The added pressure on our defence took it's toll on Marvyn though. He was booked, rightly, for having an unfair grip of an Accies shirt when chasing back after a broken down attack, but moments later he went for a 50/50 ball with Hamilton scorer Armstrong who cynically played for the foul and the booking which was readily administered by yet another hopeless D2 referee. Needless to say the last couple of minutes were played out much to the delight of the delerious Hamilton fans.

TEAMS

Hamilton: MacFarlane, Nelson, Sweeney, Dobbins, Paterson, McCreadie, Bonnar, Walker, Alisdair Graham, Alistair S Graham, Armstrong. Subs: McDonald, Elfallah, Smillie, Scott Davidson, Potter.

Airdrie United(3:5:2):McGeown; Brannigan, Stewart, Vella; Boyle, Gardner, Wilson, Docherty, McVey; Glancy, McGuire. Subs: Armstrong, Ronald, P Harvey, William Wilson, Cherry(GK).

MAN OF THE MATCH: MARVIN WILSON As voted for by Stomp readers

McGeown: Couldn't be faulted for the goal. He looks good with the passback.

Brannigan: Distribution was awful and got caught out of position a few times. Never won a header against Graham but still got on the end of a lot too

Stewart: Typically adept in every department.

Vella: Struggled a bit with players running at him. Decent enough game.

Boyle: Keeps a cool head and never flusters under pressure but offers too little in attack. How long can he keep Armstrong out?

Gardner: Worked hard but little end product.

Wilson: He looked immense for spells but looks a bit over burdened.

Docherty: Had a poor game by his recent standards and nothing worked for him.

McVey: He covered his defence well and got involved in the attack a lot.

Glancy: He worked hard but had little service.

McGuire: Just like Glancy he worked his socks off but the service and support was lacking.

Armstrong (sub for Boyle after and hour): Brought a bit of life to the right wing and his passing was excellent.

Ronald (sub for Vella with 20mins left): Provided a few tumbleweed moments. He never got in the game.