Airdrie United 0 Ross County 2

Last updated : 06 August 2006 By Footymad Previewer
Airdrie's start to the league programme spluttered and then stalled as a physical Ross County brushed them aside to win comfortably with a goal in each half.

The home side looked the same as last season with only one new signing on from the start, while the others languished on the bench.

He was Mark Smyt,h signed from Partick Thistle. However, he along with his team-mates produced a woeful performance which silenced the fans and killed the game.

Ross County had made a few signing themselves, with the most notable Michael Gardyne on loan from Celtic.

His first-half corner found Kevin McKinley on the six-yard line. He appeared to swing a boot and the ball caught his heel and flashed into the net, leaving the Airdrie keeper and his defence looking helpless.

Keeper Stephen Robertson almost gifted the visitors a second when he raced from goal to clear his lines and succeeded only in setting up Sean Higgins. He, however, was too slow to capitalise on the mistake and the chance was lost.

The second half was a case of more of the same and why Airdrie manager Sandy Stewart did not make any changes is a mystery. County soon punished him for that mistake.

On 50 minutes a Derek Adams long through pass found Gardyne, who surged forward and went round the keeper before firing home from close range.

Ten minutes from time keeper Robertson saved Airdrie from further embarrassment when he pulled off a double save from firstly Adams and then sub Craig Gunn.