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 John Baird scored a 2nd half hat-trick, his first for the Diamonds to help Airdrie to a 4-1 win at Somerset Park and close the gap on the Ayrshire side to just 2 points with three games remaining.
Baird said after the game "We are on a decent run just now and we just have to give 100% for the manager. I enjoyed my hat-trick, but would have enjoyed it even if someone else got the goals"
The 1st half was an even affair with chances at both ends. Ex-diamond Kevin James was causing problems in the Airdrie penalty area and Baird was unlucky with an effort which was saved by Craig Samson. Steve Bowey had another good chance for Ayr but Stephen Robertson made a good save to take the sides in at half time level. The second half had barely started when Airdrie were gifted an opening when Samson's clearance fell to Scott Gemmill who made no mistake to put the Diamonds in front. Airdrie went 2 up in 65 minutes when Baird latched onto a Diarmuid O'Carrol through ball. However 2 minutes later Ayr got back into the game when Dean Keenan's effort from outside the box seemed to wrong foot Robertson. Not to be outdone John Baird grabbed his second in 69 minutes cooly slotting his effort through Samson's legs. With the clock running down Baird then went one on one with Samson but the Ayr goalie made a good stop. With the game in injury time John Baird grabbed his hat-trick when he capitalised on some poor Ayr defending. Ayr: Samson, Keenan, Easton, Billy Gibson, James, McGowan, Kenneth Connolly (Mendes 66), Bowey, McManus (McKay 59), Roberts, Borris (Lafferty 59). Subs Not Used: Woodburn, Grindlay. Booked: Keenan, Roberts, McKay. Goals: Keenan 67. Airdrie Utd: Robertson, Storey, Lovering, Smyth, Robert Donnelly (Parratt 20), McLaughlin, McCann, Gemmill, O'Carroll (Keegan 84), Baird, Waddell (McDonald 77). Subs Not Used: Kevin Watt, Hollis. Booked: Lovering, Baird. Goals: Gemmill 47, Baird 65, 69, 90. Att: 1,781 Ref: C Charleston
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