A late Kieran Phillips goal saw Ross County exact their revenge for the Diamonds’ victory at Dingwall last month.

New Staggies boss Stuart Kettlewell claimed his second successive league victory as County climbed off the bottom of the league, leaving Airdrie disappointed after a fairly even tie.

Aidan Wilson was unavailable for the Diamonds following a recurrence of his recent hamstring strain last weekend, Sean McGinty replacing the skipper at the heart of the defence while new signings Adam Devine, Charlie McArthur and Robbie Mahon settled for a seat on the bench.

Ross County were forced into a change inside the opening five minutes, Dean Cornelius limping off to be replaced by Ryan Duncan after a challenge on the touchline.

Two quick bookings followed as Lewis Strapp and Alex Iacovitti went into the book for over-exuberant tackles.

The first shot of the match came from former Diamond Ross Docherty, who tried his luck from distance on 12 minutes. Harry Stone watched as the effort drifted wide.

Two minutes later Jay Henderson fired straight at the keeper before failing to get a 24th-minute pass under control and allowing Stone to gather.

The visitors were almost breaking in numbers on 27 minutes after Cole McKinnon had squandered possession, but Dean McMaster was there to stop the attack with a fine challenge.

Airdrie began to dominate possession and create chances of their own, McKinnon seeing a cross headed behind after Jamie Barjonas had nicked the ball in midfield.

Chris Mochrie twisted and turned to make space for a shot on the half-hour mark, but his effort lacked power and Trevor Carson gathered easily.

A 34th-minute Charlie Telfer header was similarly tame before Staggies sub Duncan saw a decent effort deflected wide.

Carson held a cross from Strapp five minutes later before Jay Henderson twice went close in the final five minutes of the half, first curling a strike just wide and then flicking a long ball goalwards to leave Stone backpedalling, but again the effort was off-target.

Mochrie powered forward two minutes into the second half, only for Strapp to see his cross cleared, and Euan Henderson was robbed of possession as he shaped to shoot 12 minutes later, with Mochrie again the architect of the Airdrie attack.

Ross County thought they had taken the lead on 71 minutes, a threatening free-kick delivery headed in off the bar by Jordan White, but the big striker was in an offside position.

Dylan MacDonald defended well with 12 minutes remaining, turning a threatening back post cross out of play before marshalling his man who could only head wide from the resultant corner.

Stone was in action again as the final whistle approached, plucking an 84th-minute free-kick out of the air before making an outstanding save two minutes later as he tipped a goalbound effort over the bar.

It was to no avail though, as the corner delivery found the head of substitute Kieran Phillips, who nodded beyond the despairing dive of Stone to give his side a late lead.

There was no time for a comeback for an Airdrie, who found no way past a well organised County defence in the final minutes, and the three points went north.

A KDM Evolution Trophy last-16 tie is next up for the Diamonds, who travel to Arbroath on Tuesday evening, followed by an away league match against Dunfermline Athletic.