A Mikael Mandron goal in each half handed St Mirren a win at the Albert Bartlett Stadium as both sides rounded off their pre-season schedules ahead of next week’s competitive action.

With Chris Mochrie rested and Rhys Armstrong dropping to the bench after Saturday’s 7-0 win against Albion Rovers, player-manager Rhys McCabe and Liam McStravick came into the starting line-up to face Stephen Robinson’s side.

The first opportunity fell to the Buddies, with a dangerous ball across the six-yard line met by Roland Idowu, who could only find the side netting.

Jamie Barjonas combined with McStravick and McCabe to carve out a chance for Lewis McGrattan on seven minutes, but the midfielder’s 25-yard strike nicked off a defender and flew over the bar.

Cade Melrose was equal to a Marcus Fraser effort a minute later before Sean McGinty executed a fine sliding tackle to end a thrusting Jayden Richardson run on 13 minutes.

The visitors took the lead on the quarter-hour, Mandron bending his run behind McGinty before turning and firing a low angled strike into the net.

With a lead to protect, St Mirren were content to recycle possession for the remainder of the first half, with the majority of the chances falling their way as they stroked the ball around.

Declan John volleyed over the top on 18 minutes and Melrose got behind another strike from the edge of the box six minutes later.

Euan Henderson was appealing for a penalty on the half-hour mark as his cross was deflected behind by a defender’s upper body, but neither a spot-kick or a corner were awarded.

St Mirren were handed a penalty of their own four minutes later, Mandron buying contact from Henderson and going down on the edge of the box. Referee Matthew MacDermid deemed the incident to be both a foul and inside the area as he pointed to the spot.

Mandron himself stepped up to take the spot-kick, but there was no way past Melrose who dived to his left to make a fine save.

Idowu’s 36th-minute overhead kick was held by the Airdrie keeper, and the remainder of the first period fizzled out without further incident.

Peter Urminský was called into action three minutes into the second half, the big St Mirren getting down quickly to keep out Barjonas’s angled strike.

Melrose denied Mandron again on 49 minutes, making another good reflex stop after the French striker had gotten on the end of an incisive passing move.

Dylan MacDonald was at the centre of two noteworthy incidents around the 52nd minute, first breaking up an overloaded St Mirren attack with a fine tackle before getting up the right flank and being taken out by a two-footed challenge in the box – with only a corner kick awarded.

As Airdrie reorganised from a double substitution on 57 minutes, Mandron grabbed his second, powering home a back post header after meeting John’s curling cross.

Idowu should have made it three two minutes later, but send his close-range strike over the top when it looked easier to score.

Alex King’s 64th-minute effort whistled past the post before the sides made a combined nine substitutions, with Airdrie’s line-up taking on a far more youthful look with the introduction of Jamie White, Mason Chisholm, Adam Aird, and Cole and Dylan Williams.

Melrose got down to deal with a near-post cross on 72 minutes, and three minutes later Dylan Williams almost grabbed a spectacular goal, playing a one-two with his twin brother and curling in a wonderful shot from the edge of the area. The youngster’s strike beat Urminský but not the crossbar, with the loose ball being smuggled back to the big keeper.

Rhys Armstrong fired over with nine minutes remaining, and the second half ended in similar fashion to the first.

Another worthwhile exercise for the Diamonds ahead of Saturday’s opening Premier Sports Cup fixture at Dundee.

We wish our visitors all the best with their upcoming Premiership campaign.