Airdrie's pre-season continued in style with an impressive win over Championship side Queen of the South.

As the new-look Diamonds side continue to gain fitness and familiarity, Ian Murray's side showed both their attacking and defensive qualities in the Monklands sunshine.

Former Airdrie men Rohan Ferguson and Gregor Buchanan were handed starts for the visitors while Diamonds defender Callum Fordyce returned to the Airdrie defence to face his old club.

It was the side from Dumfries who had most of the early pressure but Airdrie were defending stoutly, aided by the hard work of the forwards as shown by Dale Carrick when he chased back to block an early cross.

Carrick was making things happen at the other end as Airdrie started to come into the game, linking well down the left with Ally Roy.

Craig Thomson found a good position on the opposite flank, pouncing on a loose header to send a volley fizzing goalwards after eight minutes, but the strike was off-target.

A minute later the home side were in front after Fordyce and Carrick moved the ball from back to front, and Ally Roy gratefully accepted the through ball to slam his fourth goal of pre-season past Ferguson.

Eoghan Stokes went close a minute later as Airdrie continued to attack with pace, and Ferguson had to look lively to beat Carrick to a long ball midway through the half.

Further chances fell to Carrick and Kyle MacDonald before Queen of the South rallied ahead of the interval, Shields firing wide before Max Currie plucked a low cross from the feet of Tommy Goss.

The hosts made a number of changes at half-time, and Queens pressed early in the second half, with a great chance falling to Fitzpatrick who rattled the bar with a 15-yard drive.

The same player tried again just after the hour mark, but Airdrie's substitute keeper David Hutton was well placed to collect.

Thomas Robert joined the fray on 67 minutes, and linked well with Leon McCann before going on a strong solo run and narrowly missing the target.

Harlain Mbayo, another half-time substitute, was performing well in the right-back role and did well to clear as the visitors continued to threaten.

Allan Johnston's side failed to carve out any further clear opportunities despite the introduction of talismanic striker Stephen Dobbie, and it finished 1-0 to the hosts, a pleasing result as the squad continues to take shape.

Albion Rovers return for their second successive Tuesday night meeting with the Diamonds before the competitive action starts with a Betfred Cup tie against Alloa Athletic.