They say things even themselves out over a season but Airdrie will feel it has happened a lot quicker than that after following last week’s 89th-minute winner against Stranraer with a late defeat at East End Park on Saturday.
This time it was 1-1 with four minutes left, and as players thrashed around in a crazy pinball game in the visitors’ penalty area, Pars midfielder Andy Geggan reacted fastest to shoot home from 10 yards.
“To be honest, I didn’t know what was happening with the ball bobbling around in the box,” he admitted. “I hit it cleanly with my left foot and saw it fly in.
“That’s four goals this season and two last season, so I’ve already doubled my total. I just hope I can keep it going.
“We’re creating chances, so somebody’s going to get a beating one day but we got the result in the end, that’s the main thing.”
Striker Jordan Moore had three near-misses in the first half and central defender Callum Morris forced two reflex saves from keeper Scott Gallagher at the start of the second period, but it took a mixture of luck and optimism to giveDunfermline the lead after 55 minutes. The optimism came from Stephen Husband, who was virtually the only person in the stadium who believed that a 35-yard free-kick offered a shooting opportunity.
“The free-kick was in the centre of the goals and I thought ‘Why not have a go?’ he recalled.
“The keeper was moving to his left to save it but it took a wee deflection and went past him on his right. I scored against Airdrie last season too, so bring them on every week!
“We only held on to the lead for 30 seconds but Geggsy’s been on fire this season and, when the chance broke to him, he put it in the net. This time we held on till the end and got the three points.”
The instant Airdrie equaliser was supplied by 16-year-old Liam Coogans, who marked his senior debut with the sort of precise, angled, right-foot finish which Thierry Henry made his trademark at Arsenal.
“It was a long ball and I got in front of the defender and jinxed him and then hit it past the keeper with my right foot,” said Coogans modestly.
“I thought I did well enough and got my goal, but we just didn’t manage to take anything from the game. It’s East Fife next Saturday, so we’ll look for three points again.”