AIRDRIE crashed out of the Ramsdens Cup as five second-half goals won this first round tie for Livingston.

The Diamonds were missing four key players and it showed after the break as the Lions dominated in the New Broomfield sunshine.

David Sinclair opened the scoring in the 50th minute. Doubles from Iain Russell and Bobby Barr ensured a comfortable win for Gary Bollan's men.

Manager Jimmy Boyle was without a quartet of first-teamers for the opening day of the season with centre-back David Lilley banned.

Ankle injuries rules out both Sean Lynch and Phil Johnston while a thigh strain kept Graeme Owens on the sidelines.

New signing Paul McKane, who agreed a one-month contract on Thursday evening, started in goal with teenager Nathan Blockley handed a role in central midfield.

Airdrie had the ball in the net after two minutes but Kieron Stallard's header, from an Ally Woodburn free-kick, was flagged offside.

Ryan Donnelly then had two opportunities to score. He headed wide in the eighth minute before firing a shot past the post.

On the half-hour mark, the Diamonds survived a huge scare when Kenny Deuchar beat McKane to a high ball and nodded goalwards but Stallard cleared the danger.

Livi broke the deadlock five minutes after the interval. Barr linked with Russell who fed Sinclair with the midfielder passing the ball into an open goal.

The advantage was soon doubled when a long ball forward found Russell who lobbed an effort over McKane and into the net.

Stallard struck the post in the 59th minute before the Lions made it 3-0 in style eight minutes later when Russell cracked a fine volley past McKane.

A fourth goal was added in the 82nd minute when Barr's cross-shot floated in off the back post. He grabbed Livi's fifth after ex-Almondvale stopper Chris Malone lost possession in the area.

All in all, a disappointing start for Airdrie but the manager will have been ruing the absence of key players for the club's season opener.

Colin Paterson at New Broomfield.

Photographs © Craig Halkett. Click to view full size.