AIRDRIE produced a clinical first-half display to secure the derby day bragging rights.

Four goals inside 35 minutes swept aside Albion Rovers at New Broomfield on Saturday.

Diamonds boss Jimmy Boyle made one change to the side which started the 3-2 loss at Forfar Athletic with Ally Woodburn replacing Phil Johnston.

Rovers striker John Gemmell drove in a low shot that goalie Paul McKane kept out before Airdrie scored twice in a minute.

Former St Mirren midfielder Sean Lynch plundered the opener when he fired home a ball headed through by Derek Holmes.

And the Diamonds' advantage was doubled soon after with hot-shot Ryan Donnelly slotting home Jamie Stevenson's long ball forward.

McKane did well to block from Scott Chaplain in the 21st minute with Andy Scott blasting a shot over the bar seconds later as Rovers searched for a way back into the contest.

On the half-hour mark, a clever pass from Chaplain found Robert Love who rounded McKane, but his final effort was cleared off the line by the ever dependable Paul Lovering.

Airdrie's attacks were proving highly effective and they ensured a run of three straight league defeats would be ended with two goals in three minutes as the first-half drew to a close.

Referee Mike Tumilty pointed to the spot after Jamie Bain was unfairly challenged in the box by Mick O'Byrne. Stevenson stepped-up to convert from a dozen yards.

And it was 4-0 when Stevenson's cross was nodded down by Holmes for Donnelly who crashed home his eighth goal of the season from close-range.

A Stevenson free-kick was turned away by Rovers custodian Derek Gaston shortly after the restart.

The visitors were reduced to ten men with nine minutes left after Ciaran Donnelly elbowed substitute Craig Hill in the face.

Airdrie closed out the remainder of the game and their unbeaten record in the league against Rovers now stands at 46 years.

Colin Paterson at New Broomfield.

Photographs © Robert Dalzell. Click to view full size.