Nine-man Dunfermline leave Airdrie frustrated, but play-off slot is secured

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Airdrie player/assistant boss Callum Fordyce says it was disappointing that they couldn’t get the better of nine-man Dunfermline, but admits the Pars showed why they are League One champions with their defensive display.The Diamonds failed to get the better of James McPake’s side for the fourth time this season, as Calum Gallagher’s 62nd minute equaliser four minutes after Craig Wighton had opened the scoring for the Pars proved to be the only time they breached the visitors’ backline.Dunfermline had Kyle Benedictus sent off in 64 minutes for a foul on Callum Smith as he tried to burst into the box, and then Kevin O’Hara also went for an early bath eight minutes later for a late tackle on Craig Watson.But, try as they might, Airdrie couldn’t find a way past the Pars again and had to settle for a third 1-1 draw this term that did, at least, secure their place in the Championship play-offs.Fordyce said: “Dunfermline defended really well.

It’s a lot harder [against nine] than people think because they sit really deep and make it difficult.“We had a lot of the ball and tried to move them from side to side.

We had a couple of half chances in the second half to win the game and as much as Dunfermline were probably on top in the first half, we probably edged the chances in the first half as well.“In the second half we got to grips with how they were playing and we upped our standards a bit, created chances and should have been in front with the ones we had.“But there’s a reason why Dunfermline have won the league and have only lost one game all season.“They are consistent and difficult to beat.

It’s not just their defensive players, it’s the whole team and the work ethic they put in. It’s a credit to them.“They have been the