Airdrie United 0 Hamilton Academical 2

Last updated : 02 October 2004 By Footymad Previewer

This was another poor result for Airdrie, whose recent form has left much to be desired.

Despite being on top for most of the game, Airdrie succumbed to two speculative second half strikes.

Sandy Stewart, the Airdrie boss, was clearly concerned after the match when he said: ''We have not gained the points we expected after the first quarter of the season. We lack a final punch in front of goal.'' Indeed had Airdrie taken even one of their chances then the result would have been different. Airdrie's favourite son, Owen Coyle, had more than one opportunity to score but failed to do so. His first chance after only nine minutes saw him volley over the bar from a few yards.

He followed that up minutes later when he had been put in the clear by Stephen Docherty. He failed to shoot quickly enough and the challenge came in.

Early in the second half Docherty again set up Coyle. This time the striker missed from six yards and Accies were again off the hook.

Gaining in confidence, the visitors began to creep back into the match and broke the deadlock after 70 minutes. A corner from Mark Corcoran was picked up on the edge of the box by Mark Mclaughlin. Despite being in an unusual position, the central defender kept cool and drove a left-foot shot past keeper Mark McGeown.

On the stroke of full-time Accies added a second when they broke from defence and a sweeping cross into the box from substitute Steven Convery was converted by Scott Tunbridge.