Strugglers Airdrie pulled themselves closer to their relegation rivals after coming from behind to beat Alloa 2-1.

The early stages were dominated by the home side, but it was Alloa who were to take the lead after 30 minutes when Ross Hamilton got on the end of a low cross from the left-hand side.

The goal came against the run of play and seemed to sting the Diamonds into a higher gear.

Opportunities came thick and fast in the remainder of the first half, but on every occasion Airdrie failed to either hit the target or get the ball in behind Mark Cairns, who was in fine form pulling off some excellent saves.

Steve Archibald's team-talk at the break obviously worked wonders as the home side began to display greater urgency after the re-start.

After 51 minutes a great run by Austin McCann gave Martin Prest a clear goal-scoring opportunity, who blasted the ball high over the target.

Two minutes later a magnificent turn in the box by David Fernandez saw the Spaniard brought down.

Jesus Sanjuan sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty.

It became a procession as the Diamonds pushed forward in search of a winner only to find Cairns as single-handedly to defied everything thrown at him until another Sanjuan penalty 12 minutes from time won the points for Airdrie.