Airdrie United pay the penalty

Mar 10 2010 By Colin Paterson

AIRDRIE 1 DUNFERMLINE 1  

KENNY BLACK today hit out at the controversial penalty award that robbed Airdrie of a priceless victory.  

The Diamonds boss was unhappy with referee Brian Winter's decision to give the Pars an 86th minute spot-kick after ruling that Paul Lovering had fouled Steven Bell.  

Contact between the two players appeared minimal and video replays showed that any infringement came no later than the edge of the box.  

Substitute Willie Gibson stepped up to roll home the Pars' equaliser and deny Airdrie what would have been their third league win of the season after Ricky Waddell had scored a stunning opener.  

This was the second controversial penalty award in four days involving these sides.  

At the weekend, Bell was judged to have been upended by keeper Stephen Robertson in the area with Andy Kirk subsequently drilling home.  

Boss Black admitted he could see why that spot-kick was given after viewing video footage but doesn't expect to be offering a similar view when he sits through the re-run of this match.  

He told Advertiser Sport: "I thought contact was outside the box and it looked as if their player went down fairly easily to say the least.  

"We scored a fantastic goal that would have been worthy of winning any game and it's disappointing not to pick up the three points which would have been a welcome boost for us.  

"The lads are absolutely gutted and this feels like a defeat."  

The Fifers dominated for long spells after the break with wing wizard Willie Gibson causing all sorts of problems but Black rejected the notion that his side were happy to just to hang on to their one-goal lead.  

"Dunfermline are a good footballing side and they forced us to defend," he said. "They have talented players and were 1-0 down so you can't expect the running of the game and you know you are going to have to do a lot of fetching and carrying.  

"But when we did get the ball in the second half, we gave it away carelessly and that allowed them to have long spells when they dominated possession."  

Airdrie will take heart from another battling performance that was full of sprit, endeavour and work-rate as they prepare for this Saturday's crunch clash with relegation rivals Ayr United.  

Robertson did well to block from Kirk early-on as the Pars pressed, but the deadlock was broken in the 24th minute as Airdrie scored from their first shot on target.  

Former Clyde favourite Waddell accepted a pass 25 yards out and fired a terrific left-foot shot into the corner of the net, giving keeper Greg Fleming no chance.  

But Dunfermline finished the half stronger with the enterprising play of Gibson giving the visitors plenty of encouragement and hope.  

He was at the centre of most of their attacking raids, but Airdrie defended manfully with the centre-half duo of Marc Smyth and Simon Storey getting through a power of work.  

Ex-Diamond Joe Cardle, Calum Woods and Gibson all had efforts on goal as the Pars pushed for a leveller.  

With four minutes remaining, Jim McIntyre's side eventually got their reward through Gibson's spot-kick but Airdrie will feel immensely hard done by as Mr Winter's decision was incorrect.  

The gap of seven points to ninth place, ahead of Ayr's tussle with Partick Thistle this evening, remains a big concern for Black and his players. Time is fast running out in their battle for survival.  

The fact that only 703 fans bothered to turn up last night will continue to worry those in the Diamonds boardroom.

Airdrie: Robertson; Parratt (Donnelly 39), Smyth, Storey, Lovering; Gemmill, McCann (Lagana 71), McLaughlin, Waddell; Baird (Keegan 84), O'Carroll. Subs not used: McDonald, Hollis(gk).

Booked: Parratt, Waddell, Donnelly, Lagana.

Dunfermline: Fleming; Woods, Dowie, Higgins, McCann; Graham, Phinn (Campbell 61), Mason, Cardle (Holmes 71); Bell; Kirk (Gibson 30). Subs not used: Ross, Paterson(gk).

Booked: Bell, Dowie, Graham, Gibson.

Referee: Brian Winter.

Attendance: 703.