Airdrie picked up their first win of the league season as they beat rivals Albion Rovers in the Monklands derby.

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The Diamonds had a much changed side as they introduced five new faces and a couple of trialists for the visit to Cliftonhill.

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There were three Motherwell loanees with Rohan Ferguson returning to his place in goal with Luke Watt and Jake Hastie joining the club while Hamilton’s loan player Ryan Tierney started upfront with Jordan McGregor returning to the defence after a spell at the club last season.

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Trialists Conrad Balatoni and Tom Fry occupied berths in defence and midfield respectively.

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Tierney was the hero with an excellent double inside 14 minutes.

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It took a couple of the new boys just three minutes to give the visitors the opening goal.

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After good play down the right by Scott Stewart his through ball to Jake Hastie saw the winger go past his marker and race into the box along the line before sliding the ball across the goal. Tierney’s front post run saw him flick the ball into the net with his heel.

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A minute later Rohan Ferguson rose to catch the ball cleanly from the home side’s corner delivery as they tried to react immediately from the early blow.

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Hastie and Tierney were taking the game to the Rovers and only an overhit pass in seven minutes allowed their defence to see off the danger.

 

With 10 minutes gone Rovers levelled after a pinpoint through ball by Alan Trouten sent Joao Vitoria racing towards the Airdrie goal to fire past Ferguson.

 

Airdrie showed a really positive attitude and restored their lead in the 17th minute. An excellent ball by Kieran MacDonald into the box was right to the feet of Tierney who showed instant control with his back to goal. He spun away from his marker then slid the ball into the far corner of the net with an angled shot.

 

Rovers had a great chance to equalise for the second time in 21 minutes after a cross from the left picked out Trouten but his netbound effort was blocked by Ferguson then cleared away.

 

Vitoria looked to run in behind the Airdrie defence in 32 minutes but was forced wide by the Diamonds rearguard and the chance had gone.

 

Luke Watt fired a 25-yard shot for goal as Airdrie aimed to increase their lead but his attempt was off target.

 

Adam Brown then curled a 20-yard free kick over the wall which was well taken by Graham Bowman, but there was no further scoring as Airdrie held their single goal lead at the break.

 

It was Airdrie who looked the more likely side to add to their advantage for the first quarter of an hour after the restart.

 

A fine run by Brown in 50 minutes saw his powerful cross race across the face of goal with no takers.

 

A minute later Hastie and Stewart linked well with Hastie sending a shot wide of Bowman’s goal, while the same pairing combined after good play from Ryan Conroy. This time the shot was blocked.

 

Tierney was next up with an angled effort that was off target.

 

The home side were aware that they were still in the game and Vitoria should have done so much better in the 59 minute when he blazed a shot inside the box well over the goal.

 

Former Diamond Ross Davidson sent a 63rd minute volley high over Ferguson’s goal as Rovers continued to look for the equaliser.

 

In the closing quarter of an hour play became very open and swung from end to end but neither side were able to provide that finish.

 

The surface was also playing its part as some players were slipping as they raced forward.

 

13 minutes from time Trouten set up Vitoria with a golden chance but he sent the ball high over the crossbar.

 

A superb run by Stewart then a cross from the right landed nicely for Brown 20 yards out but he blasted the ball over the top of Bowman’s goal.

 

The home side made a late double change but the visitors stood firm to take all three points and win for the sixth time in succession at Cliftonhill.

 

Referee: Mr David Lowe

Attendance: 863