Lanarkshire derbies are not unique. They provide an edge to a match which excites spectators and increases the rivalry between the sides. Today, though, the honours were shared thanks to a last-gasp equaliser from Airdrie substitute Willie McLaren.
The home side toiled harder in the first period, and just before the half-hour took the lead through a great strike by former Accies man Brian McPhee. Following a tussle in the box, the ball broke to McPhee on the edge and he had enough time to steady himself before drilling home from 20 yards.
Crucial to the result was that Airdrie failed to extend their lead and that allowed Accies to get back into the game.
Three minutes into the second half the scores were level. Brian Carrigan lobbed a speculative ball into the heart of the Airdrie box and John Robertson, aided in no small way by his above average height, managed to head home from close range.
A double substitution by Accies saw Mark Gilhaney and Paul McMullen coming on for Pat Keogh and Carrigan, a change that paid immediate dividends.
McMullen carried the ball to the left-hand corner before drilling a great ball across goal. Brown Ferguson came rushing in at the near post and volleyed home from close range.
Airdrie were down but not out. With 15 minutes to go, manager Sandy Stewart made a substitution that was to prove crucial. On came McLaren for Kevin Barkey, and within minutes the scores were level. Allan McManus challenged in the box, and when the ball bounced loose McLaren was ideally placed to drill home a superb equaliser.