Spiders suffer defeat in opener
MacPherson’s side rue missed chances
Gus MacPherson felt the scoreline was not a true reflection of the game as his Queens Park team lost their opening match on returning to Ladbrokes League One.
Iain Russell opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Fitzpatrick doubled the lead.
The Spiders pulled one back through Adam Cummins but Adam Brown made sure of the result with a last-gasp effort.
MacPherson said: “We made an excellent start to the game and created two or three chances but you’ve got to take them.
“Was 3-1 a true reflection of the game? I don’t think so.
“We have put a marker down in terms of how we would like to play and made chances to equalise.”
Former Cambuslang Rangers and Airdrie striker Aiden Malone almost stunned his old club after just 41 seconds.
Fitzpatrick lost control of the ball inside the Spiders’ half, with Gus MacPherson’s men breaking quickly.
Midfielder Darren Miller fed Malone, who took aim from the edge of the box but watched as the ball crashed back off the bar.
Paul Woods should have blasted his side in front after 18 minutes but his effort from Miller’s cutback was well saved by Rohan Ferguson.
Queen’s were the better side but lacked a cutting edge in the final third and that proved to be a dangerous flaw as the visitors took the lead in the 29th minute.
A Ryan Conroy shot was blocked by the Queen’s defence, with goalkeeper Andrew Murphy slow off his line to get to the loose ball and subsequently bringing down Russell.
Referee David Lowe had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Russell stepped up to convert.
Airdrie doubled their advantage soon after the restart. Conroy delivered a fine corner which found Fitzpatrick, who powered home a downward header.
It should have been 3-0 six minutes later when trialist Jack Leitch played a ball over the top for Kevin Schmidt but the Dutch striker’s shot hit the post.
Queen’s pulled one back in the 82nd minute when Cummins guided home a Miller corner and there were chances to level. Sub Ewan MacPherson had an effort tipped over by Ferguson before Cummins headed wide Miller’s free-kick.
But the Diamonds made the game safe in the last minute when a long-range shot from Brown deflected into the net.
Airdrieonians head coach Kevin McBride said: “Queen’s Park can take a lot of credit from the game but the win is massive for us in terms of confidence.”
The Spiders will look to bounce back from defeat away to Stenhousemuir this weekend (3pm kick-off).