Stenhousemuir 1 Airdrie United 0 match review

Jan 24 2011 By Colin Paterson

IRN-BRU SECOND DIVISION:

STENHOUSEMUIR 1 AIRDRIE 0

PINT-SIZED winger Stevie Murray crashed home a late winner to floor Airdrie on Saturday.

The former Kilmarnock and Dumbarton star fired a Grant Plenderleith cross in off the underside of the bar with six minutes left at Ochilview.

It was no less than what Stenny deserved as they produced a fine performance which was in sharp contrast to a lacklustre effort from the Diamonds.

Airdrie gaffer Jimmy Boyle pulled no punches as he reflected on a seventh league loss of the season and admitted his side's display wasn't good enough.

Boyle said: "If we had got a draw I would have been delighted as we wouldn't have deserved it. Stenny got what they deserved.

"I don't think we played well and we caused a lot of our own problems. It was a poor goal to lose and we're disappointed."

The hosts had the ball in the net in the 17th minute but Sean Dickson's header, from a Murray free-kick, was ruled out after referee John McKendrick spotted a push by Grant Anderson.

Airdrie keeper Mark Ridgers was called into action in the 29th minute when he superbly tipped a Ross Clark header over the bar after good work on the left flank by Scott Dalziel and Murray.

Davie Irons' men were dominating the game and should have taken the lead just before half-time but substitute Paul Quinn volleyed over an Anderson cross from close-range.

Quinn had another glorious opportunity to break the deadlock in the 68th minute, but once again he missed the target as he guided wide an Eric Paton centre.

Boyle made personnel and tactical switches throughout the second half but nothing was working and Stenny goalie Chris McCluskey enjoyed a relatively quiet afternoon between the sticks.

The defining moment of the day arrived in the 84th minute. Euen Grant was dispossessed by Plenderleith with his cross finding Murray who netted his second goal of the season.

Warriors gaffer Irons was thrilled with the victory and said: "I felt we deserved to win the game over the piece.

"I thought we had the better chances and the pleasing thing from my point of view is the players showed a great appetite for the game."

Stenhousemuir: McCluskey; Lyle, Thom, Smith, Dickson; Paton; Anderson (Plenderleith 75), Clark (Motion 89), Thomson, Murray; Dalziel (Quinn 33).

Subs not used: Hunter, Brown(gk).

Booked: Thomson, Quinn.

Airdrie: Ridgers; Bain, Forrest, Grant, Goodall; Stevenson (Muir 53), McCord, Devlin, MacKay-Steven; Gemmill (Craig 45), Ferguson (Fisher 66).

Subs not used: Hill, Szpilczynski(gk).

Booked: Grant, McCord.

Referee: John McKendrick.

Attendance: 819.