The Diamonds bowed out of the CAS Cup at the hands of the high-flying Spiders.

First teamers Cade Melrose and Robbie Mahon both started after being limited to few minutes in recent weeks, meanwhile Rhys Armstrong played the first half as he looks to get back to fitness after a spell on the sidelines.

Mahon very nearly opened the scoring seven minutes into the match, but he saw his strike come back off the post after a clever disguised pass from Cole Williams.

Adam Smith had a glorious chance after winning possession from a Queens defender, but Milosz Sliwinski stood up to his effort to keep the score level.

The Spiders were awarded a spot kick just a minute later, after a soft foul on the edge of the box committed by Szymon Walczak – but Cole Goldie fired well wide from the spot.

The hosts were granted a second opportunity in the 16th minute after a long ball from the goalkeeper went in behind for Connor Falls, who took control of the ball and finessed into the far corner past Melrose.

12 minutes later, after Airdrie had passed up a couple of half chances, Queen’s Park netted once again. Walczak’s error was capitalised on by the home side, who won possession before Caiden Wright eventually managed to fumble home from close range.

Both sides were limited to few opportunities in the remainder of the first period, with Mahon seeing an effort saved by Sliwinski, meanwhile made another decent stop up the other end.

Unhappy with his side’s first half display, Alan Gow opted to make four changes at the break – introducing Lewis Burchill, Michael McQueen, Anthony Harris and recent Edinburgh City goalscorer Divine Iserhienrhien.

The Diamonds struggled to create chances in the second half, despite moving the ball well in spells.

Cole Williams was replaced by Dylan Baldwin on 63 minutes, and the Diamonds’ substitute made an instant impact as he latched onto a pass in midfield, before skipping past his man and rifling into the corner of the net from distance.

The Spiders restored their advantage soon after, as the referee eventually awarded yet another spot kick to the hosts after much deliberation with himself. Goldie stepped up once again, and this time he slammed into the top corner from 12 yards.

Mahon fell victim to a poor challenge from Lewis Smith 73 minutes in, and was forced off the pitch with an ankle injury – meaning the Diamonds would finish the match with ten men.

Adam Aird’s eyes lit up with 11 minutes to play, but his effort was blocked by teammate Harris as it looked bound for the net.

Chances from Mason Chisholm and Iserhienrhien were passed up in the latter stages of the match, with the Spiders holding out for a crucial victory which spelled the end of Airdrie’s CAS Cup campaign for this season.