Airdrie were unable to overcome newly-promoted Livingston as the Championship side ran out 2-0 winners in the Betfred Cup.

​

Captain Marc Fitzpatrick was missing for the Diamonds having come off injured against Stranraer, but the late addition of former Ross County defender David Brownlie allowed Sean McIntosh to move into midfield. John Higgins made his first start for the club, in place of Robbie Leighton.

Former Diamond Alan Lithgow tried a speculative 30-yard effort in four minutes that flew high over the crossbar.

​

Two minutes later the home side created a chance inside the box and Scott Pittman fired the ball wide to the right of Rohan Ferguson’s goal.

​

With Livingston having a lot of early possession, another former Airdrie playerDylan Mackin blazed a shot from inside the box well over Ferguson’s goal with 11 minutes gone.

​

17 minutes in Raffaelle De Vita kept himself onside to race in from the left, though Ferguson made a fine save from his angled shot.

​

Livingston opened the scoring in 21 minutes when Mackin applied the finishing touch to send a loose ball high into the net following a cross from the right.

​

Airdrie’s went close in 21 minutes when youngster Cammy Russell worked some space on the left then sent the ball across goal for Andy Ryan who was unable to make good contact with the ball and Neil Alexander easily gathered.

​

After 23 minutes Andy Ryan went close with a 30-yard free kick which Alexander pushed away for a corner.

​

From successive corners that followed the visitors applied some pressure with Andy Ryan heading just wide.

​

Mackin went close to a second in 26 minutes when he followed a quick turn with a shot that struck Ferguson’s left post.

​

Six minutes from the interval Mackin was on the end of Mullin’s cross from the right but he sent the ball over the goal.

​

Airdrie enjoyed some late first half pressure but the free kicks delivered into the box by Ryan Conroy and Adam Brown were defended well.

​

Five minutes after the restart after receiving a short corner, De Vita’s back post cross was met by Livi captain Craig Halkett, whose looping header found the net to double the advantage.

​

As the rain came down the conditions began to take effect.

​

With eight minutes remaining Ferguson was alert to gather a chipped shot from Shaun Byrne.

​

In the end another three points for group leaders Livingston who look likely to qualify.

​

Referee: Mr Mike Roncone​

Attendance: 617