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Sport
Paul Thomson

Dunfermline penalty 'karma' served as Airdrie boss thankful for David Hutton heroics

Airdrie player-boss Rhys McCabe reckons a dramatic late penalty save from substitute goalkeeper David Hutton was justice served for his side.

The Diamonds camp felt referee Ross Hardie fell for a 'dive' in the box from Pars striker Craig Wighton in the dying minutes at East End Park, where the score was level at 1-1 following Nikolay Todorov cancelling out Ben Stanway's opener for Airdrie.

Wighton went own amid a clash with Josh Rae and the Airdrie No.1 was shown a second yellow card for his troubles, forcing Stanway to be sacrificed for Hutton to be introduced between the sticks.

But the 38-year-old, who is also the club's goalkeeping coach, did the business when he batted away Kyle Benedictus' penalty to earn Airdrie a point.

And McCabe said: "At the penalty, you can clearly see that Wighton is looking for the ball and he actually kicks Josh and dives six feet in the air.

"Folk will say Hutts' save is karma but that is what he is there to do.

"We are thankful but I think we deserved a point.

Airdrie boss Rhys McCabe (SNS Group)

"Could we have nicked all three? Maybe on another day with those chances that have hit the post and stuff.

"He trains every day and he is there for a reason.

"But Hutts needs to make sure he is ready to go in goal next weekend [at home to Falkirk]."

McCabe was also pleased with his side's display following their capitulation against the Pars last week.

Airdrie were 3-0 up before getting Callum Smith sent off for a foul in the box and the Pars roared back to win 4-3.

It looked like Airdrie would suffer a similar fate when Rae got his marching orders, but the Diamonds got a point for their troubles to stay third in League One and on course to seal a play-off spot.

McCabe added: "It was a lot better this week from our point of view, in terms of dealing with the threat they posed when they went more direct and brought Todorov and McCann on.

"They had a real physical presence up front at that point but, defensively, we looked a lot more solid.

Ben Stanway celebrates his opener for Airdrie (John Steven)

"We didn't give up as much in the wide areas, at crosses and second balls. I thought we were on the front foot, aggressive, a lot more physical in terms of winning second balls to give us a platform to play.

"We just had a better structure but it is tough, especially coming here away from home with the support that gets behind them. It really helps them but I thought our boys handled that very well.

"I'm not going to complain too much coming away from home to a team who have got a good defensive record.

"The last couple of games have showed we are capable of going toe-to-toe with them."

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