Match

Result

Airdrieonians

AIR

1 - 2

19:45, Tue 23 Sep 2025

Albert Bartlett Stadium

St Johnstone

STJ

Match report

Saints continued their good start to the season this evening as they put in a battling performance to defeat Airdrieonians 2-1 in North Lanarkshire.

Simo Valakari’s side took the lead on 9 minutes when Jamie Gullan slotted the ball home from a tight angle.

Saints then doubled their lead 10 minutes later as Cheick Diabate headed home a Reece McAlear cross.

Cammy Cooper pulled a goal back for the hosts with 16 minutes remaining to setup a nervous finale however, Saints showed character to see the game out to secure the 3 points.

At full time both sides saw red as Cheick Diabate and Aaron Reid picked up second bookings as tempers flared.

Saints are back in action on Saturday as they travel to Glasgow to take on Queen’s Park at The City Stadium, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

Saints were on their travels this evening as they headed to North Lanarkshire to take on Airdrieonians at the Albert Bartlett Stadium. Simo Valakari made one change to the side which started the 2-1 win against Dunfermline Athletic on Friday evening as Jamie Gullan came in to replace Jonathan Svedberg, who dropped to the bench. Airdrieonians battled out a goalless draw at home to Raith Rovers on Saturday and manager Danny Lennon made two changes to his starting eleven for this evening’s match. Dylan MacDonald and Liam McStravick both came into the starting eleven, replacing Aidan Wilson and Chris Mochrie who both missed out completely.

Jamie Gullan got the match underway for Saints and the visitors started brightly however, Airdrie got a sight of goal on 5 minutes as Lewis McGrattan dragged his effort wide. The Diamonds created another chance 2 minutes later as Euan Henderson saw his effort blocked by Jack Baird as Toby Steward came off his line to gather.

A Reece McAlear corner from the left on 8 minutes saw the ball break to Adam Forrester however, his strike was blocked by the home defence.

However, a minute later Saints broke the deadlock as Jason Holt slipped the ball to Jamie Gullan and the forward unleashed a strike from a tight angle which went in off the far post.

PHOTO: Jamie Gullan scores for Saints

Saints continued to apply pressure and on 11 minutes McAlear saw his attempt at goal saved at the second attempt by Airdrie keeper Matty Connelly. Then 2 minutes later a McAlear corner from the right was met by Baird however, his header went wide of the target.

Saints came close to extending their lead on 18 minutes as Josh McPake played a short corner to Matty Foulds and the left-back sent over an inviting delivery into the box which was met by Adama Sidibeh however, Connelly produced a strong one-handed save to push away the header from the Gambian. There was nothing Connelly could do a minute later as Saints doubled their lead. Nice feet from McAlear saw him get away from his man before sending over a dangerous ball to the back post which was met by Cheick Diabate who planted a powerful header into the net for his first goal for the club.

The one-way traffic towards the Airdrie goal continued as on 23 minutes McPake saw his effort blocked and the loose ball broke to Forrester but again the home defence put bodies on the line as they blocked the shot from the right-back. Then a minute later Gullan saw his right-footed effort saved by Connelly.

On 32 minutes Connelly was called into action again, this time using his feet to divert away a McPake effort.

PHOTO: Cheick Diabate celebrates his goal

As the match approached half time Airdrie started to come more into the game as on 39 minutes McGrattan saw his lobbed effort come off the underside of the crossbar. Then 2 minutes later Toby Steward got down well to produce a fine fingertip save to turn a curling strike from Henderson behind for a corner.

5 minutes into the second half a cross from the left by Lewis Strapp was met by McGrattan however, the midfielder couldn’t smuggle the ball home as Steward gathered.

A good passing move on 53 minutes saw Sidibeh play in Gullan however, his curling strike was saved by Connelly.

PHOTO: Josh McPake and Dylan MacDonald

Saints then made a triple change as Kai Fotheringham, Josh McPake and Jamie Gullan were replaced by Reghan Tumilty, Jannik Wanner and Sven Sprangler.

As the second half progressed Saints struggled to play the freeing flowing football on display during the first half as The Diamonds pushed for a way back into the game.

PHOTO: Jannik Wanner is denied by Sean McGinty and Rhys Armstrong

With 16 minutes remaining the home side pulled a goal back as substitute Cammy Cooper got on the end of a Rhys Armstrong cross to slot the ball beyond Steward.

That setup a nervous end to the match as Saints had to defend their goal for large spells however, Simo Valakari’s side was able to see the game out to secure another impressive result on the road. As referee Lloyd Wilson blew for full time, tempers flared over as both Cheick Diabate and Aaron Reid were sent off after picking up second bookings.

PHOTO: Saints fans applaud the team at full time

Airdrieonians: Connelly, MacDonald (Armstrong 57’), Strapp, McGinty, McStravick (Reid 57’), Henderson (Cooper 70’), Ross, McGrattan, Barjonas (McMaster 45’), Telfer, McKinnon (Xavier-Jones 70’)

Unused Substitutes: Hutton (GK), Gallagher, D. Williams, C. Williams

Booked: McStravick, Ross, McMaster, Cooper, Reid, Strapp

Sent Off: Reid

Scorer: Cooper (74’)

Saints: Steward, Diabate, Holt, Sidibeh, Gullan (Sprangler 58’), Foulds, Baird, Fotheringham (Tumilty 58’), McPake (Wanner 58’), Forrester (Boyes 79’), McAlear  

Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Griffith, Svedberg, Ikpeazu, Franczak

Booked: Diabate, Holt

Sent off: Diabate

Scorers: Gullan (9’), Diabate (19’)

Referee: Lloyd Wilson    

Attendance: 1,874

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Jamie Gullan celebrates his goal

hospitality at mcdiarmid park

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.

Buy Ticketsfind out more

Coming soon

Line ups to be announced

view league table

THIS MATCH

NEWS & MEDIA