Dundee's electric first-half performance pushed Airdrie back into a defensive role and saw them lead the home side by one goal at half-time.
Airdrie, however, soaked up everything Dundee could muster, and then when the visitors were spent, they pushed forward and the roles were reversed.
The word on the street was "Deasley," this little man with the pace of a 100m sprinter who could destroy defences single handedly. And, so he did! He was able to vary his play from left to right and on one occasion early in the first half, just after Kevin McDonald had smacked an 18-yard effort off post, he burst into the box and drilled a shot which Stephen Robertson managed to save .
Bryan Deasley had only just begun. His next burst saw him bolt through the heart of the home defence only to be thwarted by the outstretched boot of Neil McGowan.
After 22 minutes Deasley broke the deadlock with a move that began with just a touch of good fortune. In the centre circle, among a ruck of players, the ball seemed come off Paul Lovering's ankle and bounce in front of Deasley.
Off he went, and despite the close attention of McGowan he let loose from inside the box with his right foot. The ball was blocked by Robertson and when the rebound fell kindly for Deasley, he feined right while chipping the ball into the net with his left foot.
In the second half Airdrie's Stehen McDougall came close within minutes of the restart. However, as Airdrie gained momentum, Willie McLaren became the main influence along with a sparkling display from Stephen Docherty.
The equaliser came in the 59th minute and followed a great move started by Brian McPhee. His chip towards Bryan Prunty was dummied by the striker who was surrounded by defenders. With their attention on Prunty they hardly noticed McLaren stealing in and then drilling the ball home.
McLaren almost got a second only minutes later when his long-range effort was booted off the line by Steven Robb.
Despite further chances for both sides, a draw was the right result on the day.