Airdrieonians are through to the second round of the League Cup after winning a seven-goal thriller at New Broomfield on Saturday.

Diamonds chief Jimmy Boyle made one change to the team that beat Hamilton Accies 2-1 in the first round of the Ramsdens Challenge Cup.

Martin Hardie was drafted into the starting line-up after recovering from a slight ankle knock with Jamie Bain dropping to the bench.

The Warriors took the lead in the 14th minute when Sean Dickson took aim from distance with his left-foot strike finding the top right-hand corner of the net.

And it was 2-0 nine minutes later. Willie McLaren lost possession with Nicky Devlin's cross nodded down by John Gemmell into the path of Darren Smith who slotted home.

But Airdrie pulled a goal back when Lewis Coult's cross from the right flank was flicked on by Jim Lister for David Sinclair who smacked a shot in off the bar.

Both teams were reduced to 10 men in the 39th minute. Diamonds full-back Chris O'Neil and Stenny defender Eddie Malone clashed off-the-ball on the halfway line.

It was handbags-at-dawn stuff but referee Andrew Dallas took the decision to give the pair their marching orders.

Incredibly, there was still time for two more goals before the break as Airdrie completed an astonishing fightback in a dramatic first half.

Nathan Blockley made it two goals in two games with a deflected drive from 30 yards before Mick O'Byrne, at the second attempt, prodded a Sinclair corner into the net.

Airdrie added a fourth goal in the 77th minute after some lovely build-up play saw Bain feed Lister who back-heeled the ball into space.

Bain then squared for Coult who showed great composure to round keeper Wallace Smith and knock the ball into an empty net.

Stenny pulled one back with two minutes remaining when Ross McMillan buried a Dickson cross.

However, the Diamonds held on and could have netted a fifth goal had Bain not missed his kick when it looked easier to score.

Colin Paterson at New Broomfield.

Photographs © Robert Dalzell. Click to view full size.