By Ian Steven
Airdrie manager Rhys McCabe was left searching for the “moments of quality” that will help propel his Diamonds side away from the foot of the table after capitulating to a second half wonder strike from title contenders Ayr United.
The North Lanarkshire side are now one point adrift of Dunfermline at the foot of the table, with only one win to their name out of ten games played, but the fact the home side could not name a full bench due to injuries highlights exactly where Airdrie’s troubles lie.
The Diamonds – who have now lost eight on the bounce to the Honest Men – felt they should have had a penalty in the 53rd minute when Cammy Cooper appeared to be clipped in the box by Dylan Watret close to the touchline, but referee Grant Irvine was not interested.
And Watret further compounded the home side’s misery with a 25 yard effort that found the top corner minutes later, leaving McCabe frustrated at taking nothing from the game.
He said: “I think the effort levels, intensity levels and stuff has been there for the last couple of weeks. It’s the moments of quality, which obviously when you’re a bit low on confidence, they’re the times when you’re looking for your bigger players to step up. I think today, especially in that first half, there was I think a chance after ten minutes. I think Cammy Cooper’s through and made the wrong decision. But it’s just those we moments of quality just now that are areas where we are lacking.
“I think there might be a good performance in there where we can use that and lean on it. There also might be a game where we’re terrible and we win 1-0 and it just kind of boost the boys’ confidence. But at the same time, I think the previous weeks going back even as far as Livingston, I thought the intensity, and again, it takes a strike from Andrew Shinnie from about the 25 yard mark to, to win the game.
“Fine margins that on another day you maybe pick up three points and it’s maybe at the start of a snowball effect.
“So the boys have just gotta keep working hard. I’m a big believer you earn your luck by putting in the hard work and the boys have got to recognize that.
“I think the game was lacking quality for both sides in the first half. Plenty of endeavour, plenty of enthusiasm and stuff, but it was almost going to take like a set piece or something along the lines of one moment of quality to win the game.
“And I think it’s a fair strike for the young boy.”
Airdrie now travel to Raith Rovers on Tuesday night, before welcoming Hamilton Accies on Saturday.