A Diamonds double in the first half was overturned by a four-goal comeback from the Citizens – leaving Airdrie's U19s with nothing to show for their efforts.

The Diamonds aimed to keep their 100% win rate at the Albert Bartlett Stadium this season, against a much improved City side. The U19s were without Mason Chisholm, and Cole and Dylan Williams, along with Divine Iserhienrhien who was unavailable due to injury. Robbi O’Brien, Szymon Walczak and Ronald Nimyel were rewarded with a place in the starting XI.

The visitors had the best of the early chances – a bullet header forcing a clean catch from Airdrie keeper Liam Prunty. In the 13th minute, a lucky break through on goal was latched onto by Edinburgh’s Kasper Kitchin, who placed the ball narrowly wide of the post.

It was Airdrie who opened the scoring against the run of play just two minutes later. Michael McQueen won the ball in the final third, blocking a last-ditch clearance from the opposition defender before playing a tidy pass through to Nimyel, who slotted it home.

The Citizens barely had time to reorganise before Airdrie doubled their advantage. It was a goal rather than an assist this time for McQueen, who punished the visitors with a beautiful finish – giving the home side a two-goal cushion.

The Diamonds began to dominate, winning a free-kick in a dangerous area – Nimyel just inches away from a delightful goal, his powerful shot denied only by the crossbar.

Nonetheless, Edinburgh continued to remain competitive, creating clear-cut opportunities, and in the 39th minute their valiant efforts were rewarded. City winger Kyle Hamilton placed the ball in the bottom right corner following some quality footwork.

Only a minute later tensions rose as the Citizens' number 8 Lucas Quinn was booked for a scything tackle. The referee didn’t have time to put his yellow card away before another tackle came flying in, resulting in their Harry Olsson receiving the same fate.

The side from the capital came straight out of the blocks at the start of the second half, taking advantage of the dazed Diamonds. Matthew Murray-Smith’s back-post header was flicked beyond the grasps of Prunty, levelling the sides.

It looked to be a quick two-punch knockout when the ball found its way into the Airdrie net once again. Thankfully, the referee spotted a sly City handball in the build-up, and disallowed the goal. The visitors maintained pressure, keeping the hosts pinned in their own half.

Chances were few and far between for the Diamonds as they hoped to find a winner. Adam Smith found himself unlucky, striking the ball from the edge of the box just around the outside of the post.

City’s push for the three points was in full flow. Nonetheless, some confident play from Jack Smith kept it all square as he headed the ball into the secure hands of Prunty. A double substitution from the home side soon followed - Nimyel and Adam Smith made their way off the pitch and were replaced by Jacob Bonad and Dylan Baldwin.

The change proved unsuccessful at stopping the side from the capital, who finally earned a much deserved third goal through Adam Prior in the 72nd minute.

Airdrie found themselves in further trouble as Edinburgh’s desire shone through. A delightful dribble and finish from Joshua Proudfoot, left the Diamonds dumfounded and at a two goal deficit.

In the closing stages, Airdrie looked to the bench to try make a difference. Captain Jamie White left the field, and was swapped out for U17s player Sam Gallagher.

It became evident it wasn’t the Diamonds day, as McQueen’s header in a dangerous area flew just past the post. The final whistle brought to an end a frustrating affair for the young Diamonds, with all the points heading back along the M8 with the Citizens.