Airdrie’s U17s started their CAS Cup campaign with a confident victory over Queen of the South to continue their pre-Christmas form.

Stephen McKay dropped to the bench after featuring for the U19s in a friendly last Monday, meanwhile midfielders Kyzer Fealy and Cole McCafferty returned to the starting lineup.

Guy Bainbridge was heavily involved in the early stages – his run halted by a strong defensive challenge inside three minutes, before five minutes later his effort sailed over the bar.

Kayden Reid saw his header saved by Isaac Scott in the 13th minute, as Airdrie continued to dominate the match.

Creer was called into action 24 minutes in, after a long ball penetrated Airdrie’s backline – the Diamonds stopper was quick to react to Lewis White’s strike, and he pushed it to safety.

Cole McCafferty took a sore one from teammate David Ruddy in a multi-player collision, and was forced off the pitch with a bloody face, Marcus Wallace his replacement.

Creer made another strong save just after the half-hour mark, before Jack MacMillan passed up a chance of his own with a miskick.

Fealy was cautioned following an altercation on 33 minutes, and the visitors launched an attack from the resulting free kick – but Creer came to Airdrie’s rescue yet again.

The Diamonds finally opened the scoring after four minutes of first half stoppage time, when Wallace intercepted a pass from Alfie Copland. He slipped through Jack MacMillan who slotted under the goalkeeper for his second Airdrie goal.

Airdrie continued to dominate their opponents after the break, with another good chance coming 54 minutes in. Bainbridge struck the crossbar after a powerful forward run, before Sam Gallagher drew a foul on the edge of the box.

The Diamonds made their set piece count – Darryl McMutrie’s drive at goal was saved by Scott, but Fealy followed in to net Airdrie’s second of the match. Goalscorer Fealy and McMutrie were replaced by Kaleb Donnachie and McKay following the goal.

The Queens piled some pressure on the hosts around the hour mark. Ruddy and Creer intervening to put an end to a visiting attack.

62 minutes in, Gallagher heroically swept a shot from the line, before flinging himself at another effort from close range to prevent a certain goal.

McKay showed his ability 66 minutes in, turning Thomas Bolger inside out and dinking to the back post where Copland was able to just about clear.

McKay picked out Donnachie minutes later, but the substitute somehow managed to fire over the bar.

Airdrie would live to regret their missed chance to go three up, when Jamie Carvel slammed home from close range after a cross was zipped across the Diamonds box.

It didn’t take Scott Craig’s side long to regain their two-goal cushion – Bainbridge slotting home from the spot for his 13th competitive goal of the season after Donnachie was fouled with under 15 minutes to play.

Donnachie grabbed a goal of his own two minutes later. McKay with another inch-perfect diagonal, drawing Scott off his line – prompting Donnachie to lob the Queens’ goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

The Doonhamers gave themselves a glimmer of hope with a minute to play, when Carvel struck once again from inside the box. A brawl then broke out in the middle of the park after McCafferty was punched off the ball, prompting the referee to flash a few yellow cards at some random players of his choosing.

Airdrie protected their lead through stoppage time to claim three points over the Dumfries side, making it seven wins in their last nine matches as they continue to push for silverware against the odds.