AIRDRIE manager Jimmy Boyle says last season was a learning experience for him and his squad.

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The Diamonds reached the Irn-Bru First Division promotion play-off final but lost out to Dumbarton.

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Now Boyle, who signed a contract extension to May 2014, is getting ready with his players to push for a return to SFL1 next term.

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And he believes the lessons learned from the previous campaign will stand everyone in good stead.

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He said: "We're still learning. I'm still learning and the players are still learning. That's the big thing.

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"The squad is still fairly young and I am an inexperienced manager; I've only been in charge for two years.

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"I've learned that sometimes you can't do anything from the sidelines. You have to trust the players.

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"Confidence is a massive factor. It's one of the biggest things they [the players] need other than ability."

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Boyle was proud of the final-quarter flourish which earned Airdrie a shot at promotion through the play-offs.

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However, the 6-2 aggregate defeat to Dumbarton was not how the script was supposed to end.

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The gaffer added: "It was an incredible season and and an incredible final quarter which got us into the play-offs.

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"We managed to shut up shop and put together a fantastic run. To fail at the last hurdle is really disappointing."