Late misfortune left the young Diamonds with nothing to show for their valiant efforts at the Falkirk Stadium.

First team players Cole Williams, Dylan Williams and Mason Chisholm returned to the lineup to play against the Bairns, meanwhile Anthony Harris and Divine Iserhienrhien kept their places in the starting XI after impressive displays in the SFA Youth Cup on Friday.

Dylan Williams kicked the game off for Airdrie, but it was the Bairns who dominated in the early stages. In the tenth minute, a spell of pressure from Falkirk was rewarded when a ball over the top was pounced upon by Liam Middleton who coolly dispatched past Liam Prunty.

Airdrie faced a quick two-goal deficit when only five minutes later Falkirk doubled their advantage. A powerful effort from Kai Brown forced a dive from Prunty to get a hand to the shot. However, it was Liam Middleton once again who was quickest to react to the rebound – slamming beyond the grasp of Prunty and into the back of the net.

In the 20th minute, Finn Reid looked to catch Prunty off his line, attempting an audacious chip from the halfway line. Safe hands from the Airdrie shot-stopper prevented the Bairns from finding a third.

Airdrie’s first chance came a few minutes later, when a ball driven along the ground was received by Euan Hamilton, however an extra touch in the box made it tough for the Airdrie midfielder to get a shot off and eventually the ball was cleared.

Airdrie began to dominate the match after their poor start. Great work from Hamilton in a dangerous position drew a foul on the edge of the box. Dylan Williams stepped up to take the free-kick, but his effort was held comfortably by Lewis Goodwin in the Falkirk goal.

Jack Smith continued to put pressure on the home side as he drove into the Bairns’ box. His shot was parried over the bar by the Falkirk 'keeper, earning Airdrie a corner.

In the latter stages of the first half, Burchill won the ball on the edge of the Falkirk box. He slipped the ball through to Dylan Williams, whose shot stung the palms of the Falkirk goalkeeper.

Chances came thick and fast for the Diamonds as the first half progressed - in the 43rd minute, an inviting cross from Dylan Williams was met by Chisholm, but his volley bounced wide.

The Diamonds' dominance was eventually rewarded on the cusp of half time. A beautiful ball over the top by Deryn McConnell, was met by a divine touch from Iserhienrhien. The Airdrie forward then knocked the ball past a defender before driving it past the keeper and into the bottom corner.

The Diamonds looked to their bench at the break for some inspiration, Adam Smith replacing his brother Jack as Szymon Walczak came on for Robbi O'Brien at right back.

At the start of the second half, Iserhienrhien was at the centre of the action once again. His lightning-quick run the length of the pitch saw three Falkirk defenders left in the mud. However, the Diamonds scorer slammed into the side netting rather than squaring to a team-mate.

In the 58th minute, Euan Hamilton danced through the Falkirk back-line, before being fouled yet again. The resulting free kick was cannoned into the wall by Dylan Williams.

Alan Gow's side continued to dominate, but there was more action on the Airdrie bench shortly after. Lewis Burchill made way for Michael McQueen as Airdrie looked for yet another spark to find a crucial equalising goal.

The next chance fell to the substitute McQueen, who was able to create space in a tight area, before forcing a diving stop from Goodwin in goals.

Heading into the final quarter of the game, Adam Smith earned the young Diamonds a corner after some neat play through the middle. Airdrie couldn't take advantage, however, and the corner was cleared in the end.

Airdrie’s final changes were made in the 77th minute - Jamie White and Ronald Nimyel replacing Iserhienrhien and Harris.

Airdrie finally found themselves a deserved equaliser just six minutes later. Adam Smith powered a shot towards goal, which was parried by the Falkirk 'keeper. Luckily, the ball fell to McQueen, who tapped home to level the sides.

Hamilton received the first caution for the Diamonds when he was given a yellow for tripping a Falkirk winger. The Bairns headed inches wide from the resulting setpiece.

In the 88th minute, a Falkirk cross into the box found itself on target. A reaction stop from Prunty tipped the ball onto the post and away from danger.

The Bairns’ prayers were answered from a corner in the dying seconds. An inswinger came off McQueen inside the six-yard box and went through the legs of Prunty. A bust-up ensued following the goal - and both Prunty and Oliver Gordon were booked in the aftermath.

Airdrie were unable to find a second equaliser in stoppage time, ending with another league defeat. The Diamonds will look to get back to winning ways in their next game against a strong Greenock Morton side at the Albert Bartlett Stadium.