Bob Dalzell's photo gallery of the game

Airdrie Utd fielded a fairly strong line up from the start. Sandy Stewart picked himself despite Brian Rice being absent this week, with veteran Jimmy Boyle organising the bench, with David McGuire starting in place of Martin Glancy the only change from last week. The Diamonds bench looked particularly strong with Gow, Glancy, Harvey and McVey the outfielders available.

The first half was turgid, though probably not as turgid as the fare in Toftir which was keeping the scoreboard watchers amused. Airdrie were too slow and deliberate in their build up and it took almost half an hour to even mount a decent move, Marv Wilson sidestepping a challenge at the edge of the box and his powerful shot blocked in the box. Marv had earlier been involved in a bit of afters early on with an Elgin midfielder after a nasty challenge. Marv was booked for pushing his opponent in the heated exchange. The best chance of the half fell right on half time to Airdrie's starting striker Paul Ronald whose header from a Gardner corner was cleared off the goalline and Brannigan's follow up just missed.

There were no changes at half time and moments after the restart impressive left wing back Neil McGowan fired a goal bound shot that was deflected wide by Paul Ronald. It was to be the strikers last involvement. Not before Marv got involved in another nasty incident, though he was the innocent victim of a nasty assault. Marv had battled through several challenges when Elgin midfielder Chris Love, probably the same player from earlier, attacked Wilson, firstly by a nasty boot to the back of his ankles, then secondly by driving his knee into the prone midfielder's back.

It was the worst tackle I've seen since Gordon Hunter's leg opening assault on Nipper 10 years ago. It was a cowardly, vicious, back stabbing, career threatening tackle, almost Roy Keane like in it's cynicism. "Take that you c*nt", I could almost hear him say. If Marv is badly injured he should sue. Love (how apt?) was only sent off, when a GBH charge would have been more appropriate.

Marv was in agony and couldn't continue. Stewart threw on Harvey in place of Wilson and 'future legend' Alan Gow for the ineffective Paul Ronald. What a difference straight away. Gow immediately fired the team up. We kept the ball and looked dangerous. Gow carried on like last week by getting the ball and running with it, once in particular when his mazy run took him to the byeline in spectacular style. He made chances for others too, one in particular when slipped McGuire through, but the wee man was just edged out. Airdrie had plenty of chances, the best was when Docherty was sent away by Gow only for last man Tully to bring him down in the 'D'. With only 10 mins left, Elgin were down to NINE men. Harvey clipped the wall with his weak free kick

Harvey would redeem himself only moments later. Gardner had the ball in midfield and threaded a pass through to the on running Paul Harvey who pulled a pass back into the box for Alan Gow to steady himself and shoot low past Elgin keeper Pirie for the winner. Needless to say Gow celebrated and Airdrie fans could hail a new hero.