Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Airdrie slip as Livi open 10-point gap Diamonds stay in second after loss on the road
Livingston ........................ 2 Airdrieonians ................... 0
Airdrieonians boss Mark Wilson called for his players to be proud of themselves, despite falling 10 points behind league leaders Livingston.
The defeat at the Tony Macaroni Stadium compounded a disappointing couple of weeks for the Diamonds, who were just a point behind the Almondvale side two weeks ago.
The New Broomfield outfit were without top scorer Andy Ryan and defender Daniel Boateng due to suspension but they started brightly.
They peppered Liam Kelly’s goal with shots, with a long-range effort from Ryan Conroy coming closest.
However, Livingston were quick on the break and some slack defending allowed Rafael Da Vita to break down the right wing and slip in Dale Carrick to make it 1-0.
The game did not provide many clear- cut chances, and as Airdrie pushed men forward in the dying minutes of the game they were caught on the counter attack again.
Rohan Fergsuon made a good initial stop from Josh Mullin but the rebound fell straight to Nicky Cadden, who put the ball into the empty net.
Despite the defeat, head coach Wilson was keen to praise his players.
“It was a huge game, with the gap Livingston have built up,” he said.
“The boys did everything I asked them to do.
“That may sound stupid, considering we were beaten 2- 0, but we reacted from last week’s disappointment and I thought we went about the game the right way.
“We started the game well and created a few half-chances but just a slip in concentration gives Livingston the chance and they have the players up front to punish you.
“We were in the game the whole way through and got punished with the breakaway after we pushed a couple of men forward in the last minute and took the gamble.
“It’s small margins that can cost you the points in these types of games but you have to say well done to Livingston for taking their chances when they came.
“We’re disappointed but we’ll put it behind us and look ahead to getting some wins together.”
Wilson called for his players to remain positive and to be happy with where they are in the table at this point in the season, as they prepare for a tough tie away at Stranraer on Christmas Eve.
“That’s two weeks now that we have been beaten and it’s a sore one to take,” he told the Advertiser.
“But I’ve said to the boys that they should be proud.
“They are young boys and should be proud to be second in the table just now and proud of the work they have done in the last six weeks.”