AIRDRIE had their promotion hopes dashed by Dumbarton who will be playing in the First Division next season.

The Sons won comfortably on aggregate at New Broomfield on Sunday in front of a crowd of almost 3,000 fans.

Diamonds boss Jimmy Boyle made two changes to the side which lost 2-1 in the SFL1 promotion play-off final at The Rock on Wednesday night.

The injured Cameron MacDonald was replaced by Euan McNeil with Willie McLaren recalled to the starting line-up in favour of Jamie Bain.

But disaster struck for Airdrie in the ninth minute. Kevin Nicoll's delightful ball in behind the defence found Craig Dargo.

The former Kilmarnock striker waited for custodian Grant Adam to commit before lobbing the ball towards goal with Kieron Stallard unable to keep it out.

And it was 2-0 in the 21st minute. A clearance rebounded into the path of Dargo who retained his composure to slot home.

Airdrie had a great chance to get back into the tie two minutes later but McLaren blazed over when he should have at least got his shot on target.

Mark Gilhaney was denied at the other end following a counter-attacking move before Derek Holmes pulled a goal back for the hosts in the 35th minute.

Game on? Well, only until the second minute of first half injury-time. Tony Wallace wriggled away on the right-hand side and passed for Gilhaney who curled an effort past Adam.

Jamie Stevenson had a shot blocked by Stephen Grindlay early in the second half with Nathan Blockley nodding wide at the back post in the 56th minute.

But the Sons wrapped it up nine minutes later when Wallace fired a low shot into the net. The Dumbarton faithful spent the remainder of the game in party mode as Airdrie wished for the final whistle.

Colin Paterson at New Broomfield.

Photographs © Robert Dalzell. Click to view full size.