Kenny Black made the change I'd spectulated on last week, with Cardle making way in the starting line up for former Morton player Scott McLaughlin.   Instantly the diamonds were getting more men in the Morton box withouth losing anything.

Airdrie dominated proceedings from the outset.   Confidence was sky high after the display at Tynecastle midweek, but heads will be scratched at how Morton, on this evidence, managed to beat Hibs.

Airdrie took the lead after a sublime pass from the majestic Kevin MacDonald found a fired up and back on form Stephen MacDougall on the right.   MacDougall's centre eventually broke to McLaughlin on the edge of the box and the Airdrie midfielder fired home from the edge of the box past Kevin Cuthbert for our first league goal of the season after 13 minutes.

13 minutes later McLaughlin double his tally and Airdrie's lead when he fired home again, this time by sub goalie Colin Stewart, after some brilliant work by Paul di Giacomo on the left.

On 36 minutes Stephen MacDougall again broke down the left and his center was bulleted home by Paul di Giacomo as Airdrie ran riot against an increasingly dismal Morton.

Earlier in the day I'd noted on my blog that I was intrigued by the prospect of seeing McManus back v. our new defence.    Morton were a mess but at the other end our young but talented central defence were playing like a pair of old masters.   The watershed I'd hoped seems to have arrived.   This team look the business.   Solid defence, hardworking midfield, now very creative,  interesting wingers working well, and two excellent strikers who can score and who work incredibly hard for the team and contibuting in many, many ways.   In the end,  unlike in previous seasons, I wasn't looking at McManus and thinking "what if", this time it was a case of "thank feck we've finally moved on".

Airdrie thoroughly deserved their three goal lead but unfortunately the second half was understandably a little more flat.

David Nixon got his first goal for us with a header from Hazley's inswining free kick on the hour mark, and Simon Lynch finished the rout with a fine run and finish after being sent clear way out on the right flank.

Morton were absolutely devastated and humiated by an unbelievably well organised and motivated side that can only improve with time.

The game ended on a very sour note when former Airdrie favourite McManus was shamefully sent off for a disgraceful lunge at his former protege McKenna.  McKenna had hunted McManus down and robbed him.   The Morton defender reacted by lunging into a horror tackle for a straight red.    I've mourned McManus leaving us two summers ago but on evidence of today we have signed a pair of young defenders who wipe the floor with him now  and we finally can move on.   To think he's acting like that on the pitch yet coaches their under 19s is shocking in itself.

Kenny Black will be delighted, the change to the formation worked a treat, we looked like a much more progressive team.   The defence was immense as usual, Donnelly and Nixon are awesome.   In midfield we had a bit more bite, the addition of McLaughlin in the left central role allowed he and MacDonald more room to support the attack,  McKenna revels in his anchor role,  MacDougall really revelled today and seems to be contributing, and the strikers worked tirelessly.    Di Giacomo doesn't just look like Coyle, the workrate is excellent.   Last word for Marc Smyth who's looking like easily, and increasingly, an SPL level player, not unlike a few of this side...

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