A year of ups and downs ended in cruel fashion for Airdrie as Oli Shaw’s last-gasp winner consigned the Diamonds to defeat in a rollercoaster Lanarkshire derby.

There were welcome returns for full-backs Dylan MacDonald and Mason Hancock, with midfielder Murray Aiken back on the Airdrie bench as Rhys McCabe named a full complement of players for the first time in many weeks.

The match got off to a lively start as McCabe and Sam Graham combined to defend a third-minute corner, with the home side cutting out Ben Wilson’s square pass as the Diamonds countered.

McCabe skiffed the outside of the post with a free-kick after captain Adam Frizzell had been sent sprawling on the edge of the box on six minutes, and the player-manager was back in defence a minute later, blocking well as Graham’s clearance span into Steven Bradley’s path.

Frizzell went close with an acrobatic attempt as the crisp passing of Hancock, Wilson, Chris Mochrie and Lewis McGrattan once again moved Airdrie quickly up the park.

As play continued to swing from end to end, Kieran Wright confidently claimed a 10th-minute free-kick.

Four minutes later the hosts took the lead, MacDonald chasing his man infield and leaving a gap for Stuart McKinstry, the former Leeds man squaring for Shaw via a deflection, with the Accies striker calmly stroking home.

Jamie Barjonas fired well over from distance as John Rankin’s side sought to increase their lead, but it was Chris Mochrie who levelled for the Diamonds on 19 minutes, planting his header beyond the static Charlie Albinson after McCabe had nodded on a Frizzell free-kick.

Dean McMaster remained calm under pressure from Connor Smith two minutes later, with Albinson gathering a Wilson effort as the sides continued to trade chances.

Albinson fielded a Wilson cross after a neat one-two with McGrattan on the half-hour mark, and Mochrie was unable to turn his strike inside the post after meeting a Hancock cross a minute later.

The home side went back in front on 38 minutes, Shaw picking out the run of Smith who squared across goal for the incoming McKinstry to smash high into the net.

Airdrie were quick to respond again, and after half-chances for Frizzell and Shaw, Gavin Gallagher levelled the match for a second time, taking a pass from Wilson and striding forward before making space to send an inch-perfect finish inside the post and out of Albinson’s reach.

An Airdrie onslaught followed half-time, but the Diamonds inability to make any of the numerous chances count would come back to haunt them.

Mochrie was first with a sight of goal on 46 minutes, but a desperate clearance took the ball from the midfielder just as he was about to let fly.

Gallagher saw another good effort charged down a minute later, and Sean McGinty stood strong to block two Mochrie efforts before Albinson saved well from McGrattan.

The Accies keeper was in action again on 49 minutes, holding a Wilson header after good wing play by Mochrie.

Hamilton’s first chance of the half fell to Shaw, but a brilliant recovery block by Hancock denied the former Barnsley striker.

The slightest touch from Graham was enough to take another effort wide as the home side rallied, but Mochrie fed Wilson again on 59 minutes, another block denying the striker’s flicked effort.

Wilson fired wide as substitute Aiken began to send in some dangerous low crosses, and Hamilton got away with a 66th-minute backpass, referee Don Robertson waving play on as the Diamonds appealed.

Smith fired tamely at Wright on 69 minutes, and substitutes Kevin O’Hara and Euan Henderson added further threat to Airdrie’s tiring defence as the clock ticked on.

McCabe sent a 76th-minute free-kick over the top before Henderson contrived to completely missed the ball from a gilt-edged chance with 11 minutes remaining.

Smith and Wilson exchanged efforts, with Airdrie sub Lewis McGregor seeing his 84th-minute cross unceremoniously booted clear.

As the home side turned the screw Wright made a fantastic point-blank save on 89 minutes, but the Accies pressure continued and Shaw grabbed the winner in the final minute of regulation time, stroking home O’Hara’s low cross.

The final whistle signalled a bitterly disappointing defeat for the Diamonds, who competed well for most of the match, but slip further behind Dunfermline after the Fifer’s picked up a point in Friday evening’s match.

The big challenges keep coming for Airdrie, with the top two, Falkirk and Livingston, next up before a break for Scottish Cup action.