An intense local rivalry generally ensures a full-blooded and competitive encounter when Hamilton and Airdrie meet, and this was no exception.
Airdrie were by far the better side in the early stages, and David McEwan was forced to make some great saves in the first half.
After only six minutes, McEwan had palmed away a Stephen McKenna effort to stop his side from going behind, while former Accie Brian McPhee went close from seven yards after a goalmouth scramble.
Hamilton posed little threat at that stage, although Graham Jones struck a header off a post and Mark McLaughlin nodded just over on 20 minutes.
But the Diamonds were the more dangerous side and deserved to go ahead after 31 minutes. Gary Twigg played the ball forward for McLaren, who did well to do round a defender before driving a low shot past McEwan from 10 yards.
Airdrie were dominant and looked likely to win the match before the arrival of Pay Keogh reinvigorated the home side.
After51 minutes Lee Hollis had to move smartly to save his effort after Brian Carrigan's free-kick came back off the woodwork.
And the big striker was heavily involved when Hamilton equalised, holding off a defender to find Jones with a pass, then heading at Hollis before Scott McKenzie tucked away the rebound.
With both sides pressing, Twigg and McLaughlin both went close, while Jones had a strong last-minute claim for a penalty turned down, but overall a draw was fair.