Airdrie went down to a third successive league defeat as two second-half goals handed Cove Rangers victory.

The Diamonds, who were already missing Kyle Turner and captain Sean Crighton through suspension, were dealt a further blow when recent signing Paul Paton pulled up during the warm-up.

It meant a further reshuffle for manager Ian Murray, who brought Craig Thomson, Griffin Sabatini, Ally Roy and Kyle Connell into his starting line-up.

Thomson started brightly on the right flank, skipping down the line on six minutes only to see his cross turned behind for a corner.

The home side showed an early threat through Fraser Fyvie, who impressed throughout. The former Hibernian man tested Currie with a ninth-minute drive, but the Diamonds keeper stretched to tip the strike over.

Fyvie volleyed over two minutes later before Ally Roy flicked a nice header across the six-yard line, but there were no yellow shirts close enough to take advantage.

Kyle Connell forced a good save from Stuart McKenzie midway through the half, the Cove keeper diving to deny the loan striker who had driven into the box from the left.

Currie was in action again shortly after, palming out Seb Ross’s effort.

Fyvie should have done better when the ball broke kindly for him on the half-hour mark, but Paul McKay got across to take control.

Euan O’Reilly scooped a shot high and wide before Cove came close again, Fyvie striking the junction of post and bar with a free-kick from just outside the area.

O’Reilly had another go at goal as half-time approached, firing over the bar before Fyvie contrived to miss an open net, failing to get any power in his shot and allowing Currie to recover and prevent a certain goal.

The Airdrie keeper blocked with his legs early in the second half, with Cove defending well at the other end as Ryan Strachan twice got in front of Roy’s shots.

Connell had another chance to put the Diamonds ahead on the hour-mark, but once again McKenzie was equal to the young striker’s effort.

Three minutes later the hosts made a double change which saw the introduction of veteran striker Rory McAllister, and Jamie Masson - who had scored Cove’s goal in the earlier meeting between the sides.

Within two minutes the former Aberdeen midfielder once again proved to be the scourge of the Diamonds as he netted with his first touch, turning home a low cross from two yards out.

Masson grabbed his second just six minutes later, again making himself available for a low ball across goal and this time slamming home from an angle at the back post.

Airdrie sub Calum Gallagher volleyed over from the 18-yard line on 75 minutes, but Paul Hartley’s side were in control and able to manage the remaining time well.

Dean Ritchie came closest for the Diamonds deep into stoppage time, but a fine effort from outside the box was just off-target and the match ended in disappointment for Airdrie, who faced a long journey home before a quick return to action against Dumbarton on Thursday.