Fraser Fyvie stuns Airdrie to keep Cove Rangers five clear in League One pole position

Paul Hartley watched Fraser Fyvie rescue a point for Cove Rangers with a spectacular 25-yard strike against Airdrie and ensured the tide wouldn’t turn in cinch League One.

The league leaders maintained their five point advantage in the top of the table clash with the 94th minute equaliser which keeps Cove on course for the title with five games to go.

Hartley had briefly looked away from the action after a frustrating afternoon but as he turned back, so did the tide for his team as he caught the looping strike sailing over Max Currie to spark wild celebrations in the away dugout.

"I just felt it was one of those days, it wasn’t going for us and we threw balls into the box and they were clearing things, defending well,” said Hartley.

“Then, when you ask for a little bit of quality Fraser steps up with an unbelievable finish and we had to celebrate together.”

The gap looked set to close to two with Airdrie holding the one-goal lead from their first attack, but Cove are assured top spot regardless of next weekend’s results.

"It is a massive point - we play next Sunday, Airdrie play on Saturday and that could really have turned the tide,” added Hartley. “We won’t take anything for granted."

It didn’t quite become one but the noisy 1650-strong support on both sides of the stadium gave it the feeling of a league decider and cooked up an atmosphere befitting one. Shay Logan conducted the away support at kick-off and even conceding early didn’t lower their volume – but Airdrie’s turned up.

A burst down the left from Adam Frizzell and cross into the six-yard area set up a chance for Callum Gallagher and though McKenzie saved the initial effort Gaby McGill pounced and had the final touch over the line.

It wasn’t the only