Airdrie's Ross County showing "would have beaten most sides", says gutted gaffer McCabe

Proud Airdrie boss Rhys McCabe reckons his side's battling display against Ross County would have been enough to down most sides as he admitted he was gutted to be out of the Viaplay Cup.

The Diamonds were 3-1 down at half-time of their last 16 tie with the Staggies, but mounted a stunning comeback to force extra time.

However, their run in the competition was ended by Eamonn Brophy's 101st minute diving header.

Airdrie fell 2-0 behind after just seven minutes when two goals in the space of 60 seconds from ex-Diamond Kyle Turner and Jordan White had the hosts shell-shocked.

Calum Gallagher pulled one back in 36 minutes, only for Simon Murray to restore Ross County's two-goal advantage within two minutes.

Airdrie looked to be heading out in the 90 minutes but substitute Josh O'Connor won a penalty eight minutes from time which Gallagher converted and then the young striker bagged an equaliser in the 89th minute to level it up at 3-3.

It ultimately just delayed Airdrie's exit, but McCabe - who has enjoyed Premiership scalps over Motherwell, St Mirren and Dundee in the competition in recent years - felt their showing was up their with those shocks.

He said: "On another day, take out the silly mistakes, look at the overall performance and what we actually put into the game, I think it beats most teams.

"But that doesn't win you football matches.

"The level of performance, to come back against a Premiership side, was great. It wasn't like we had our backs up against the wall, we really gave them as good as we got and, for large parts in the second half and extra-time, I thought we dominated the game.

"I might have to look at it back, but I thought we controlled the rhythm and possession, but ultimately some silly mistakes