Airdrie 4, Montrose 1: Diamonds shine as they continue League One title drive

Airdrie turned on the style to thump Montrose as they closed in on League One leaders Cove Rangers.

With Paul Hartley's side held to a draw, Airdrie closed the gap at the top to five points and stretched their lead over third-placed Montrose to four points.

Calum Gallagher's first-half double was halved by a Graham Webster penalty, but though the visitors started the second period as the better side, Airdrie soaked up the pressure and struck decisive blows via sub Craig Watson and Adam Frizzell.

The Diamonds took a 2-1 lead into the interval and Calum Gallagher was on target with both for his eighth and ninth goals of the season.

He struck in 34 minutes, when the striker simply picked up possession outside the box and curled a delightful shot into the top right corner.

Two minutes later, a sweeping move down the left led to Gallagher back-heel flicking the ball in off the underside of the crossbar.

But Montrose were handed a lifeline when Blair Lyons was tripped by Adam Frizzell to earn a penalty, which Graham Webster buried.

Montrose stepped it up in the second half and went close through Lyons and Webster, but Airdrie extended their lead, somewhat against the run of play, in 64 minutes when Watson sent a shot high into the net.

But Frizzell struck and then headed in the rebound to put Airdrie 4-1 up in 70 minutes after Montrose keeper Allan Fleming had superbly saved his initial effort.

Airdrie boss Ian Murray made one changes to the side that drew 1-1 at Cove Rangers last weekend, with Calum Gallagher coming in for Jordan Allan up front.

New signings Justin Devenny, on loan from Kilmarnock, and Jon Afolabi, on a similar deal from Celtic, had to settle for places on the bench.

Montrose gaffer Stewart Petrie made two