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Daily Record
Sport
Paul Thomson

Dunfermline's late penalty didn't faze me, says Airdrie hero David Hutton after climbing off bench to produce penalty heroics

Airdrie goalkeeping coach David Hutton says he's experienced enough not to be fazed by facing a late penalty after his save made him the hero for 10-man Diamonds in their draw at Dunfermline.

The 38-year-old, who is also registered as a player, had to come on for the final six minutes at East End Park when No.1 Josh Rae picked up a second booking for giving away a penalty after a foul on Craig Wighton.

The sides were level at 1-1 after Nikolay Todorov's second half header had cancelled out Ben Stanway's first-half opener for Airdrie.

Hutton's first task was staring down Kyle Benedictus from 12 yards and it was former Pars man who prevailed, diving to his right to batter away the spot-kick.

It was an unexpected cameo but Hutton also couldn't resist a pop at referee Ross Hardie for his role in that late introduction.

He said: "I wasn't expecting to be involved but that's just the refs for you, they've killed the game. It's difficult. You can't speak to them but I don't want to say too much.

David Hutton, far left, alongside player-boss Rhys McCabe, far right (John Steven)

"From the bench it looked like Wighton touched it and waited for Josh and then he's just jumped. That was my take on it but I wasn't right next to it.

"I knew Josh was getting sent off. I saw it right away and I just went and got ready to come on to face the penalty.

"But when you are called upon you need to go and do the business.

"I'm 38 now. I've had moments like that my whole career.

"I've been about the block so I just thought I'm going to pick a side and throw myself.

"That's what I did and, thankfully, it paid off with the save."

After his penalty save, Hutton did have a some hairy moments as he spilled a couple of efforts in a bobbly Dunfermline goalmouth.

He smiled: "Ah, that was just time-wasting. I was planning on that, just letting it bobble under my knees and things like that.

"But, seriously, I thought the boys grafted really well and a point is a good result here, especially having a man sent off.

Ben Stanway celebrates his opener for Airdrie (John Steven)

"Last week the referee's decision killed the game as well. If we had 11 on the park then, we go and win comfortably but they got a penalty and we went a man down, completely changing the game.

"It was almost the same this week.

"It's down to decisions that refs make and there's nothing we can do about that."

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