Airdrie 3 Morton 1: Diamonds dazzle to strengthen grip on play-off spot

Airdrie strengthened their grip on the last play-off spot in the Championship after a convincing win over fellow promotion hopefuls Morton.

Nikolay Todorov's 11th goal of the season inside 60 seconds and Charlie Telfer's 15th minute strike had the hosts cruising at half-time.

And Mason Hancock's header in the second half made sure off all three points at a blustery New Broomfield before Michael Garrity grabbed a consolation for the visitors.

That has taken Rhys McCabe's side five clear of sixth-place Morton going into their final five games, while they also sit three ahead of fifth-place Dunfermline, with a game in hand.

The result also dealt a big blow to Dougie Imrie's Morton, who have now lost six out of their last seven in all competitions.

The hosts made three changes from their 2-1 win in Arbroath during midweek. Aaron Lyall, Chris Donnell and Lewis McGregor all dropped out and that allowed skipper Adam Frizzell to come back in alongside fellow midfielder Telfer and Gabby McGill, who climbed off the bench at Gayfield to grab a late winner.

But Airdrie didn't have to wait long for a goal in this one, with SPFL Trust Trophy hero Todorov netting inside 60 seconds.

The Bulgarian stole possession at halfway and steamed forward before unleashing a thumping (slightly wind-assisted) strike into the top corner beyond Ryan Mullen, who couldn't get enough of a touch on it to keep it out.

Morton went looking for the equaliser and in the 10th minute Jack Bearne caught a strike sweetly on the edge of the box. Thankfully for Airdrie, a sea of players in Diamonds jerseys were in the way to get in its path and turn it behind.

Down the other end, McGill was waiting in the box unmarked for a sidefoot finish at the back post but