Two quickfire goals handed Ayr United friendly victory over Airdrie despite a fine late finish from the Diamonds.

With the signing of defender Henry James announced prior to kick-off, there was a more familiar look to Airdrie’s starting line-up, with only three trialists taking to the field for the first half.

Ex-Diamonds loanee Harry Stone lined up for the Honest Men, who are beginning the Gary Naysmith era after an interim spell in charge for Diamonds boss John Rankin.

It was Airdrie who made the first inroads on a cold, wet afternoon which felt more like midwinter than July, Robbie Mahon making a strong run down the right flank before being crowded out at the near post.

The hosts hit back through Kevin Holt, whose angled strike cleared the terracing roof behind the goal.

A curling free-kick from Trialist 11 landed at the feet of Matty Yates, who could only stab past the post on 18 minutes.

Sam Fisher and captain Craig Ross combined to block a 19th-minute effort, and it was Ayr’s turn to defend well two minutes later, Shaun Want making a fine recovery to stop Dapo Mebude after the striker had left the Ayr man in his wake.

A spell of dominance for the home side followed, a 23rd-minute free-kick being nodded over before Airdrie’s trialist goalkeeper handled a Mark McKenzie effort with minimum fuss.

Recent signing Luke McBeth sent a 20-yard effort over the top, with Trialist 1 again showing safe hands at his near post three minutes later.

Airdrie’s defence stood strong as another good Ayr attack came on 34 minutes, and Nick McAllister did well to get a toe on Robbie Mahon’s pass ahead of Mebude a minute later, with Trialist 2 orchestrating the break out of defence.

Yates’s attempted long-ranger was closed down just before half-time, and another Ayr header was off-target on the whistle.

While Gary Naysmith made a host of changes at the break, John Rankin stuck with his starting XI as the second half got underway.

James led the attack nine minutes in, Airdrie winning a corner which was ultimately cleared by the home defence.

The changes began for the Diamonds, two and three at a time, and along with tweaks to the formation, a disjointed spell followed – and Ayr took full advantage.

Trialist 15 thought he had put the Diamonds in front on 64 minutes, racing onto a fine through ball and cleverly lifting the ball over the outrushing Stone, but it bounced the wrong side of the post.

Jamie Hislop punished the miss at the other end as Airdrie continued to reorganise, slamming home from just inside the box to open the scoring.

More Airdrie changes followed, but the hosts made it two straight away, Reece Lyon tapping home after a cutback had been parried by the Diamonds keeper.

Matthew Warbrick almost added a third on 75 minutes, but his effort curled wide.

The match fizzled out in the final fifteen, but there was one bright spot for the Diamonds in the last minute of play, an incisive passing move seeing the ball laid on for Trialist 38 who smashed home a lovely first-time finish to half the deficit.

The final whistle sounded shortly after, and the Diamonds move on to a final friendly against Premiership Falkirk on Tuesday evening.

Our thanks go to everyone at Ayr for their hospitality today, and we wish them well for the upcoming season.