Airdrie suffered a reversal of last weekend’s 3-0 win as they went down to Group D winners Ross County at the Albert Bartlett Stadium.

There were two changes to the side which coasted past Annan Athletic last Saturday, Ruairidh Adams returning between the sticks in place of Jamie Sneddon, and recent signing Kwame Boateng coming in for his debut, with Evan Easton making way.

The Staggies named ex-Diamonds Lewis Strapp and Ross Docherty in their starting XI, while former Airdrie loanee Lewis Jamieson was on the bench after signing on at Dingwall in midweek.

There was almost a dream start for John Rankin’s side, Gavin Gallagher releasing Kian Taylor inside the first minute, but Dylan Smith recovered well and did enough to put the midfielder off as he lined up his shot.

Matty Yates looked set to be presented with a similar chance seconds later as Akil Wright slipped, but the big defender managed to smuggle the ball back to Brad Foster in goal.

Yates did have an opportunity to shoot a minute later, a quick throw from Henry James releasing the striker, who was denied by Foster at his near post.

The visitors’ first threat came through Jamie Lindsay, who charged into the box from the left flank, but a well-timed Sam Fisher tackle was enough to avert the danger.

Foster was out quickly to beat Yates to another James pass after good play by AJ Bridge in the middle on 15 minutes, the visitors retaliating again three minutes later as Smith sent a low cross-shot just wide of the upright.

On 21 minutes the Highlanders did take the lead, Lindsay placing a perfectly lofted effort into the top corner after an attack, which had initially been well marshalled, was worked back into the box for County captain Brian Graham to lay off.

The visitors could have doubled their lead 11 minutes later but for a fine Craig Ross challenge to stop Docherty in his tracks.

The Dingwall side were in the ascendancy after grabbing the opener, and Lindsay went close again after Graham had combined with Adam Emslie on 34 minutes.

Graham, already with five goals to his name in the tournament, looped a first-time effort over the bar following a 36th-minute corner.

Taylor broke free on the stroke of half-time, but Wright did well to shut down the attack and the danger was averted.

Airdrie almost lost a freak goal just after the restart, a cross from the right hitting James and looping into the air, over Adams, and off the inside of the post. Luckily for the Diamonds it bounced out and was cleared.

There was no such luck on 51 minutes, a determined Emslie run along the bye-line allowing a square pass to former Queen’s Park midfielder Jack Turner, who made no mistake from close range.

Fisher was inches away from heading home a wicked Bridge delivery from a 54th-minute free-kick, and Lewis Reid got back to head behind after Yates and James had worked a chance from the left.

Foster made a good block from Taylor on 64 minutes after the Airdrie midfielder had left Wright in his wake, but the offside flag went up in any event.

County’s third came on 75 minutes, substitute Jamieson able to tap home after birthday boy James had been outnumbered in the full-back position – finding a way clear only to see his pass go straight to Brian Graham, who unselfishly squared for a simple finish.

Airdrie sub Robbie Mahon saw a decent effort from 30 yards dip just too late with seven minutes remaining, Jamieson sending a curling effort high and wide three minutes later.

There was time for midweek signing Declan Gallagher to make his Airdrie debut against his last club – and to go into the book for a mistimed tackle.

Home fans were calling for a red card as Smith barged dangerously into Adams in the final minute, but referee Abbie Hendry was happy with a yellow.

The result sees County progress to the last 16 while Airdrie, who were already unable to proceed, must now dust themselves down ahead of a trip to Aberdeen to face Cove Rangers in next weekend’s League 1 opener.