Late drama has often been a feature when Airdrie and Dumbarton have met in recent years, and today was no different as the Diamonds came from 3-1 down to record another late victory over the Sons.

Manager Rhys McCabe made five changes to the side which beat East Kilbride 8-0 on Tuesday evening, Kieran Wright, Cammy Bruce, Lewis McGrattan, Chris Mochrie and Aaron Reid, coming in for Murray Johnson, Adam Frizzell, Rhys Armstrong, Lewis McGregor and Ben Wilson.

The match, which began in bright conditions and ended in swirling rain, took a while to get going, although an early Airdrie flurry saw a threatening Mason Hancock cross blocked before Bruce’s tame effort was hacked away and McGrattan screwed wide.

Matthew Shiels went close with an 11th-minute effort for Stevie Farrell’s side, and Kieran Wright produced a fingertip save from Michael Miller two minutes later.

Dylan MacDonald’s 18th minute cross took an unfortunate bobble just before reaching Reid on the penalty spot, and the big striker could only blaze over the bar.

Brett Long did well on 25 minutes, blocking from Reid and saving Mochrie’s rebound effort with an outstretched leg.

Within a minute the hosts had taken the lead, Finlay Gray robbing McGrattan just outside the box and sending an excellent early finish just under Wright’s crossbar.

It didn’t take long for Airdrie to get back on level terms, Aidan Wilson flicking a long ball out to Hancock, who delivered to the unmarked McGrattan at the near post, the ex-Morton man diving to angle a header beyond Long for the equaliser.

The half-time score of 1-1 was an accurate reflection of the balance of play, but an explosive start to the second half saw Dumbarton take a strong lead.

Two minutes after the restart a deep cross found Craig McGuffie, who intelligently nodded the ball back to David Wilson. His effort was palmed away by Wright, but only into the path of James Hilton, who made no mistake from five yards.

Four minutes later Hilton had the chance to increase his side’s advantage from the spot after a cross had struck MacDonald’s hand and referee Lloyd Wilson awarded the penalty.

As Wright dived to his left, Hilton stroked the ball to his right and the Sons took a two-goal lead.

The goal spurred Diamonds boss McCabe into a quadruple substitution as Armstrong, Frizzell, McGregor and Ben Wilson replaced Bruce, Mochrie, McGrattan and Reid, and the fresh legs provided an instant spark.

Carlo Pignatiello did well to block from Wilson after Armstrong and Frizzell had combined down the right on 56 minutes, and the Dumbarton rearguard were called into action again ten minutes later as Hancock and Terrell Agyemang threatened on the opposite flank.

Airdrie got one back on 66 minutes, Aidan Wilson looping a ball into the box with MacDonald providing a lovely touch to tee up Armstrong. The midfielder reduced the deficit with a powerful strike which Long could only help into the net.

Aidan Wilson almost got lucky with a 76th-minute cross which crept toward goal but landed on top of the net, and Mouhamed Niang headed just wide at the other end as Dumbarton looked to restore their advantage.

A typical surging run from McGrattan nearly paid off with 11 minutes remaining, his initial pass being cut out before his low strike was cleared off the line.

With 84 minutes played, Airdrie levelled the tie once again, McGregor driving for the by-line and picking out the run of Agyemang, who cushioned the ball past Long to make it 3-3.

There was yet more drama to follow, however, and when Aidan Wilson poked Craig Watson’s blocked shot into the path of namesake Ben, there was only going to be one outcome. The Northern Irishman took a touch and curled the ball into the top corner from close range, much to the delight of the travelling support.

Airdrie almost added to their lead in stoppage time, Frizzell smashing a 25-yard effort just past the upright before Dean McMaster tried his luck from similar distance only to see his strike cannon off the inside of the post.

Wilson’s strike was enough to win the game, though, and it leaves Airdrie at the top of Group A with two wins out of two. The Diamonds are ahead of Aberdeen on goal difference ahead of the sides’ meeting at Pittodrie on Tuesday evening.