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Fraser Fyvie’s last-gasp wonder goal ensured we stayed five points clear of our hosts in cinch League One after a match that had a dramatic opening and finale.

The Diamonds looked to be on their way to what would have been a crucial victory for them thanks to a first minute strike from Gabriel McGill.

We were never at our very best, but did manage to create a few chances, although none that were really clear cut.

It looked as if McGill’s effort was going to be enough to cut the points gap to two, with five to play, until Fyvie pounced in the third minute of injury-time to bulge the Airdrie net with an absolutely brilliant first time left foot volley from fully 25-yards.

The strike sent the large, noisy, band of Cove Rangers fans at the Excelsior Stadium into raptures, with almost everyone on our bench invading the pitch as well as they celebrated what will surely be a contender for goal of the season.

Airdrie couldn’t have asked for a better start to the match.

Callum Smith played a pass up to Adam Frizzell and when his low 14-yard shot was parried by Stuart McKenzie the ball went straight to McGILL, who netted from close range.

We respond strongly to that set-back and created a number of chances.

Mitch Megginson fed a pass to Fyvie and his 16-yard volley was held by home keeper Max Currie.

Airdrie responded with Callum Gallagher lashing in an 18-yard shot that McKenzie beat to safety with his legs.

Shay Logan broke clear on the right, in the 12th minute, to find Connor Scully with his cross and the midfielder’s low 16-yard volley was grabbed by Currie.

Fyvie then spotted Logan doing another over-lap and the full-back shaved the top of the crossbar with a powerful shot from the edge of the area.

Harry Milne also shot wide from 19-yards as we maintained the pressure.

Fyvie followed that with a strong 22-yard shot that was also collected by Currie.

Airdrie missed a glorious chance to go two up in the 28th minute.

Craig Watson’s cross from the left was nodded back across the face of the goal by Gallagher and Rhys McCabe should have done better than send a weak six yard header straight into the hands of McKenzie.

Airdrie went close again in the 33rd minute, when Smith volleyed over from 14-yards after being set up by Gallagher.

Our best chance of the half came in the 36th minute, after Milne and Scully exchanges passes to get into the Airdrie area.

The move ended with Scully laying the ball back to Milne and his net-bound 14-yard shot was punched clear by Currie.

The half ended with McKenzie doing well to deflect a powerful 20-yard free-kick from Dylan Easton wide of his right post.

There were fewer chances in the second period, although we did have the better of them.

We began with Fyvie seeing his 20-yard free-kick, and effort from the rebound, blocked by a wall of Airdrie defenders.

The second rebound fell to Scully, but he could only steer his powerful shot from the edge of the area off target.

Fyvie also saw a 51st minute effort, on the turn from 20-yards, saved by Currie.

Airdrie had another decent opportunity five minutes later, when Callum Smith sent a 14-yard header over.

The Diamonds defended deeply from then on and when Morgyn Neill nodded a Logan header wide in the last minute it looked as if we would be going home empty handed.

FYVIE saved us in sensational fashion when an Iain Vigurs corner, from the right, was knocked out into his path and he showed brilliant technique to lash his first time left foot volley beyond the reach of the diving Currie and extend our unbeaten run in the league to 21 games.

AIRDRIEONIANS: Currie, Watson, Paterson, Agnew, McCabe, Fordyce, Frizzell, Easton (Kerr 92), G McGill (S McGill 73), Gallagher (Afolabi 74), Smith.

Subs: Cantley, Walker, Devenny, Ritchie, McDonald, Allan.

COVE RANGERS: McKenzie, Neill, Ross, Reynolds, Milne (McIntosh 74), Scully (McAllister 60), Vigurs, Yule (Masson 74), Logan, Fyvie, Megginson (Adeyemo 93).

Subs: Strachan, Leitch, Gourlay, Fotheringham.

Referee: Gavin Duncan.

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