Airdrie boss: Red card killed us but players put in great effort in Partick defeat

Rhys McCabe felt Lewis McGrattan's red card 'killed' their hopes of victory but he praised his Diamonds for their plucky efforts against Partick.

The Airdrie boss watched his side fall to their fourth defeat in their last five Championship outings, but he was pleased with their application on a day where kick-off had been delayed for 40 minutes.

In a bizarre turn of events, an injury to one of the officials left the game in limbo and the match was delayed three times before a replacement was finally found - with even a plea to the crowd for a grade five official to come to the rescue.

During that delay, Jags and Liverpool legend Alan Hansen was interviewed pitchside to entertain fans before the hosts ran out 2-1 winners.

Brian Graham struck either side of Adam Frizzell's leveller to win it and keep Airdrie - who had Lewis McGrattan sent off a late tackle on Kyle Turner - rock bottom of the Championship.

The Diamonds also had a goal from Cammy Copper ruled out for offside late on and McCabe said: "I've got to congratulate the boys for their effort and application. They didn't deserve to be on the end of a scoreline like that, given the efforts they put in.

"In my opinion, the red card kills the game.

"But in saying that, we made a few changes and there was a goal that was offside by maybe a fraction, while there were a few decisions that didn't go our way.

"I'm honest and I thought Partick dominated, and we were hanging on a bit and stuff.

"But even with 10 men - and nine men when Murray Aiken goes off injured - we were the ones looking to score goals and be on the front foot.

"It is difficult for me to come out and criticise any of the boys for their performance because we looked fit, we looked strong and, if anything,