JOHN BOYLE scored a 17-minute hat-trick as Airdrie got their Irn-Bru First Division campaign off to a flying start.

The Whinhall forward was in top form at New Broomfield on Saturday with summer signing Paul Di Giacomo also on target.

Airdrie were forced to make changes to the side which lost 3-2 against Queen's Park in the first round of the Scottish Communities League Cup at Firhill.

Suspensions ruled out Sean Lynch and Nathan Blockley with illness keeping out Kieron
Stallard. Youngster Jamie Barclay was handed a debut and started alongside Ryan Donnelly in central midfield.

The Diamonds opened the scoring in the 14th minute. Cameron MacDonald's clearance in behind the Sons defence found Boyle who finished with aplomb.

Airdrie made it 2-0 midway through the half. Willie McLaren spotted an opportunity and lofted a ball over the top for Boyle who again got the better of Stephen Grindlay.

And it was trebles all round for Boyle when he robbed defender Martin McNiff and netted for a third time.

Dumbarton made a double substitution at the break in a bid to turn the tide and they combined to good effect in the 58th minute.

Mark Gilhaney delivered a cross to the back post for Mark Lamont but his effort could only find the side-netting.

The visitors did get back into it four minutes later when Airdrie's defence failed to clear danger in the box and Jim Lister blasted home.

Michael Hart then cleared an Alan Lithgow header off the line before Gavin Griffin brilliantly denied Gilhaney as Dumbarton pressed.

The final word went to Airdrie, though, when Boyle squared for Di Giacomo who confidently struck the ball past Grindlay.

Diamonds boss Jimmy Boyle said: "I am absolutely delighted with the result and the performance.

"Dumbarton beat us comfortably at times last season so to get our first league win against them is good."

Colin Paterson at New Broomfield.

Photographs © Robert Dalzell. Click to view full size.