Airdrie boss Rhys McCabe admits he was sickened by Andrew Shinnie’s stoppage time winner for Livngston because he felt his side deserved something from their trip to West Lothian.
The Diamonds remain bottom of the Championship after a 2-1 defeat to the Lions, with Shinnie lashing home a 25-yard stunner in the first minute of stoppage time to consign their visitors to a third defeat on the spin.
McCabe’s men were on course for a point after Aaron Reid’s fine finish from Dylan MacDonald’s cross in 31 minutes cancelled out Stephen Kelly’s opener for the Lions just two minutes earlier.
However, Shinnie climbed off the bench and stepped up to ensure the Lions took all the spoils.
McCabe said: “It was sickening because the boys put in some much good work in the first half-time. Livi came into it in the second half and make a couple of changes, started to look a bit more threatening.
“I thought for 45 minutes we dominated them. We conceded the goal against the run of play and I can’t remember them causing us many problems. But then we had a quick response, which was good.
“If we were coming away from that performance with a 1-1, we could say that it would be a fair result on how hard the players worked. It wasn’t to be, but that is football.”
Airdrie – could only field four outfield players on their bench due to injuries and suspension – had a big chance to win it themselves, with Chris Mochrie denied in the 82 minute at close range after he had got on the end of Adam Frizzell’s cross.
McCabe added: “We are not making any excuses. We are in a period now that is just a wee bit unfortunate and unlucky.
“We won’t be the only team. Last season we’re having our batch of injuries at one time and other sides will struggle later on.
“It is a great finish from Shinnie, who I know well from my time at Rangers. Technically, it’s excellent. That wee bit of experience off the bench helps.
“I don’t know how Mochrie doesn’t score and those are the fine margins that aren’t going for us right now. If we score that, we maybe hold out. I think we merited a draw.”
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