THREE goals in the space of 32 minutes on Saturday saw Airdrie extend their unbeaten record to four games.

In a game of two halves, the Diamonds eventually produced the goods to stay in the SFL2 promotion play-offs hunt.

Airdrie made one change to the team which defeated Albion Rovers with top goalscorer Ryan Donnelly coming in for John Boyle.

The Loons enjoyed a 4-1 derby-day victory of their own over Brechin City last weekend but were without 18-goal top scorer Chris Templeman.

Airdrie twice came close in the opening eight minutes with Derek Holmes heading over and Nathan Blockley drilling a shot just wide.

But the visitors hit back when Kevin Byers twice collected lay-offs from Dale Hilson but the right-sided midfielder failed to trouble Grant Adam.

Forfar created a good chance in the 43rd minute when a Greg Ross ball was played by Martyn Fotheringham into the path of Byers although his effort was cleared off the line by Ricki Lamie.

Two minutes later, Byers lofted the ball into acres of space for Nicky Low to chase. He checked inside and unleashed a shot but Adam pulled off a solid block.

Those missed chances came back to haunt Forfar in the second half as three goals in a 22-minute spell earned the Diamonds all three points.

The deadlock was broken when a Willie McLaren header from a Paul Lovering cross was saved by Greg Paterson but Jamie Bain turned the ball home.

In the 75th minute, it was 2-0. Substitute John Boyle was brought down in the box by Stephen Tulloch with skipper Lovering finding the bottom corner of the net after referee David Somers pointed to the spot.

And it was well and truly game over four minutes from the end when Bain fed McLaren who converted his sixth goal of the season.

Colin Paterson at New Broomfield.

Photographs © Robert Dalzell. Click to view full size.