Friday Night Football proved a partial success for Airdrie off the pitch but there was disappointment on it for Jimmy Boyle's men.

The Diamonds slipped to defeat at New Broomfield despite taking a lead in the 19th minute thanks to Paul Di Giacomo's second goal of the season.

Goals from Marc McNulty, Liam Fox and Iain Russell earned the Lions victory and sentenced Airdrie to a fifth straight home league defeat.

Airdrie boss Boyle made three changes to the side which drew 2-2 in the third round of the William Hill Scottish Cup with Raith Rovers.

Michael Hart, Gregor Buchanan and Jamie Bain were left out with 17-year-old full-back Chris O'Neill handed his first-team debut. Cameron MacDonald and Sean Lynch returned from injury.

There was little action of note until Di Giacomo slotted home to open the scoring after John Boyle's low shot crashed against the base of the post.

However, the advantage was short-lived. Anthony Andreu's corner wasn't cleared with McNulty turning sharply and firing the ball into the net.

MacDonald limped off in the 36th minute with a recurrence of the hamstring injury which had kept him on the sidelines for several weeks.

Livingston took the lead in the 62nd minute. O'Neill was harshly judged to have fouled Danny Mullen on the edge of the box with Fox curling the free-kick in off the underside of the bar.

The West Lothian outfit sealed victory with three minutes left. O'Neill tripped Russell in the area and the Lions striker stepped up to send keeper Kenny Arthur the wrong way from the spot.

Colin Paterson at New Broomfield.

Photographs © Robert Dalzell. Click to view full size.