Goals were in short supply in League One but Iain Russell had the satisfaction of knowing his strike could be pivotal for his club.

Airdrieonians saw off bottom club Stenhousemuir 1-0 in Lanarkshire due to his 56th-minute strike to revive their hopes of making the play-offs.

"It was a very important result for us. Every game is a must-win game and I thought we passed the ball really well," Russell stated.

"We had a lot of chances and we were always looking for a second goal because our defensive record is the worst in the league. But we defend as a team, so everyone has to do better.

"It has been a very frustrating season and we should be doing better. We are not happy with our league position but it has not been for the lack of trying.

"We have not had enough clean sheets but, while they were clearly better than us in the previous two games and scored goals, we were better and deserved to win.

"We have been lacking consistency but need to get back to that form when we did have a good run of results."

Stenhousemuir finished with 10 men after David Marsh picked up his third red card of the season for kicking out at Russell.

Manager Brown Ferguson saw his side come up just short and knows his team has to start picking up points.

"There are still a lot points to play for," he pointed out, "The players need to be more positive on the ball as we were far too passive today."

Albion Rovers and Peterhead shared the points in a barren 0-0 draw and East Fife and Alloa also could not come up with a goal between them.

It all suited leaders Livingston who moved nine points clear at the top after a late goal from Liam Buchanan gave them a 1-0 win at Stranraer.

Stranraer felt there was more than a hint of offside about the goal and Livingston manager David Hopkin conceded that he thought the game was heading for stalemate.

But he praised the contribution of his striker who has now netted 23 goals in the campaign: "Liam is a goalscorer and a poacher and has come up trumps again."

Brechin City thought they had picked up three points at Hampden when Andy Jackson put them in front in 83 minutes but Ryan McGeever headed a late equaliser for Queen's Park in a 1-1 draw.