AIRDRIE captain Paul Lovering says the club's fifth play-off defeat in six years has hit him the hardest.

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The veteran full-back suffered post-season agony in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

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Lovering hoped the Diamonds would see off Dumbarton at New Broomfield on Sunday and win promotion to the Irn-Bru First Division.

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But a 6-2 aggregate victory for the Sons saw them move up and leave Airdrie looking at another SFL2 campaign.

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He said: "Dumbarton thoroughly deserved to win the game. We were second-best to everything and they dominated from start to finish.

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"We didn't turn up. I don't know why. It was a big occasion but not any bigger than the games against Ayr United.

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"We were playing against a team from our own league who we knew well so I don't know why we lacked confidence. I don't understand how this has happened.

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"This is the worst feeling ever for me. This is the worst of the five play-off defeats I've had here.

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"In the other games we were close and gave ourselves a chance but we didn't do that against Dumbarton.

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"To go out with a performance like that is gutting."

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Lovering believes that it is not all doom and gloom at the club.

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He points to the success of Airdrie's Youth Pathway scheme as a reason for optimism.

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"We have young guys coming through," the defender added. "The youth system is producing players and in the cold light of day we will see the positives.

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"But it is hard to take just now. We're all feeling angry and hurt. We went out with a whimper."

 

Lovering, who has been granted a testimonial match against an Airdrieonians XI in July, will consider his options before deciding whether or not to play on.

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The 36-year-old commented: "I don't know [if I'll be back]. It's something I will need to have a think about. We'll see where I am in pre-season."