Lacklustre Airdrie fall to Inverness

Nov 16 2009 By Colin Paterson

CALEY warmed up for next Sunday's ALBA Challenge Cup Final with a comfortable victory over lacklustre Airdrie.
 
A goal in each half from Danni Sanchez and Eric Odihambo kept all three points at the Caledonian Stadium.
 
With Ayr United securing a late 1-1 draw at home to Ross County, this result means the Diamonds are once again propping up the First Division ahead of next Saturday's crunch clash with Morton.
 
Airdrie boss Kenny Black stuck with the same starting XI that featured at Dundee, but Frankie Lagana returned to the bench following injury in place of veteran defender Paul Lovering.
 
However, his side didn't start well and keeper Stephen Robertson needed to be alert to block shots from Nauris Bulvitis and Adam Rooney.
 
But just as it appeared as if the game would be goalless at the interval, Caley opened the scoring. An Airdrie attack, led by Ryan McCann, broke down on the edge of the hosts' box and a swift counter-attacking move was put together.
 
Sanchez was fed on the vacant right flank, and despite late attention from Bobby Donnelly, was able to squeeze a shot through the legs of Robertson at his near post.
 
Airdrie responded positively at the beginning of the second half and came close to an equaliser when McCann's cross was turned inches past his own post by Bulvitis.
 
But Caley regained control of the contest and just a minute after Richie Foran missed a sitter from Jonny Hayes' cross, Odihambo sealed the win with a shot that crashed in off the post.
 
Elsewhere, Paul Martin's Albion Rovers endured a frustrating day after their Third Division match with Livingston at Almondvale was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.
 
Inverness CT: Esson; Tokely, Bulvitis, Munro, Golabek; Proctor, Duncan, Imrie, Sanchez; Foran, Rooney. Subs: Cox, Odihambo, Stratford, Hayes, Allison(gk).

Airdrie: Robertson; McCann, Donnelly, Nixon, Storey; Trouten, McDonald, McLaughlin, Waddell; O'Carroll, Baird. Subs: Smith, Lagana, Keegan, Watt, Hollis(gk).

Referee: Craig MacKay. Attendance: 2,780