From The Courier: Arbroath player-manager Paul Sheerin was delighted with the quality of play and strength of character shown by his team in overcoming a stubborn Airdrieonians side.
The Lichties were twice pegged back by the visitors in an enthralling game, decided in the final minute when Lee Erwin blasted home the penalty-spot winner after Bobby Linn had been pulled down by Chris O’Neil.
Sheerin said: “I thought some of our football, especially in the first half, was excellent. The way we moved the ball around and created chances was really good and we are certainly a bit closer to where we want to be in terms of how the game is being played.
“Obviously there were spells when Airdrie caused problems and we maybe could have defended better at time.
“But there’s a real togetherness about the squad, which is good and I’m happier now than I was at this stage last year.”
Michael Travis came within inches of giving the Maroons an early lead with a header which struck the woodwork, then Alan Cook did the same from the penalty spot after he had been tripped in the box by Grant Evans.
The deadlock was broken in the 20th minute when Linn broke clear on the left and volleyed low beyond the helpless Scott Gallacher.
Airdrie shaped up much better in the second period and Willie McLaren levelled matters in the 58th minute.
David Banjo edged Arbroath in front again with a clinical finish from 10 yards but within a minute the Diamonds had restored parity with a Lewis Coult strike.
The Lichties pressed for a winner and it duly came when Linn surged into the box only to be felled by O’Neil, who was dismissed for the offence. Erwin confidently smacked home the spot-kick to claim his sixth goal in as many games.