Two minutes of madness sink Airdrie

Airdrie .......................... 1 Livingston ..................... 2

Andrew Bargh

A disastrous two-minute spell left Airdrie frustrated at the Penny Cars stadium on Saturday as Livingston ran out 2-1 victors in the Betfred Cup.

Scott Pitman and Lee Miller both netted midway through the first half to give the visitors a solid lead despite a strong start from the Diamonds.

Darryl Duffy’s 53rd minute goal was deserved but not enough to salvage a point from the group stage opener.

Airdrie started well and Sean Crighton was afforded an early sight of goal in the third minute.

However, after meeting Ryan Conroy’s corner kick he saw his header drop wide of the target.

Livi hit back though and struck the crossbar on 11 minutes when Lee Miller rose at the back post to meet former Diamond Ricky Lamie’s cross.

Scott Gallagher then kept the score at 0-0 when he touched Alan Lithgow’s header onto the crossbar as Airdrie breathed another sigh of relief.

A Diamonds counter-attack looked promising when Dale Carrick raced onto Scott Stewart’s pass, but Pitman managed to get back in time to thwart the Airdrie striker’s effort.

Pitman then made the difference at the other end as he was afforded too much time in the box to place a shot low to Gallagher’s left in the 24th minute.

Less than 60 seconds later, Livi found themselves two-up when Gallagher failed to hold a cross ball, allowing Lee Miller to tap the ball into the gaping net.

Gallagher then made good saves from new player-manager Kenny Miller as well as a volley from Scott Robinson, while Airdrie briefly threatened from a Ryan Conroy free-kick which was pushed over the bar by Liam Kelly.

The home support were appreciative of the second half effort and on 53 minutes were on their feet to acknowledge the goal of the match.

Good pressing from Duffy and Carrick saw them win possession in the opposition half.

Carrick then slotted Duffy in towards goal and the veteran striker confidently prodded the ball past the onrushing Kelly.

Airdrie had chances to equalise during a much more rounded second half display, with Crighton heading wide from a corner again.

Carrick also came close as he leathered a stunning strike off the crossbar.

Chances came and went for both sides in the final 10 minutes.

Kyle Wilkie’s threatening run was halted as he broke through the opposition rearguard, while Gallagher saved from Miller again.

Scott Stewart also wasted half-a-chance late on and Livingston held on for the win.