Goals in each half from Marc McKenzie and Mark Ramsay saw us move eight points clear of Arbroath after the Red Lichies were held to a 2-2 draw at Methil.

There were two changes to the side which had came so close to getting a draw against Hibs the previous week. Greg Stewart picked up an ankle injury in training and was replaced by Lewis Coult who set up both of our goals.

Scott Linton had meanwhile suffered from tonsillitis during the week and was replaced in the line up by new signing Liam Cusack, although he was able to take his place on the bench.

The Diamonds started the game positively and Donnelly was only piped to a Bain cross by a brave Cowan challenge.

However, we gradually took over and McKenzie fired over from 16 yards and then Coult took Cusack's flick and was only denied by the outrushing Fairley.

In 13 minutes Cowan's throw deceived the Airdrie defence and McKenzie saw the keeper make a fine finger-tip save from his angled 14 yard shot.

The visitors struggled to put pressure on the Cowden defence and in 37 minutes we deservedly took the lead.

Coult made ground down the right and his cross was headed home at the far post by Marc McKenzie.

Both teams had substitutes on for the second-half with Linton replacing Adamson, who had been booked in the first period and was suffering from a hamstring injury, while McLaren was subbed by Boyle but it was Cowden who took the initiative and Cusack's low shot was deflected for a corner by Fairley but in 56 minutes it was 2-0.

Coult made ground into the Diamonds box and Fairley clipped his ankles as the striker went past him and referee Richmond pointed to the spot.

After the keeper was booked, Mark RAMSAY sent him the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Ten minutes later McKenzie beat the offside trap and ran clean through but shot wide when confronted by the keeper before Robertson hooked just over after Coult had knocked the ball down to him.

As we continued to push forward Cameron missed a good chance when finding himself with just the keeper to beat and then Armstrong saw a header cleared off the line by Blockley after a Linton corner.