Caley Thistle fell to defeat at Excelsior Stadium after two costly first-half goals for Airdrie was enough for all three points.

ICTFC went 1-0 down after less than a minute as Cammy McGill’s shot deflected off Cameron Harper and into the back of the net.

Airdrieonians doubled their lead after 32 minutes, striker Calum Gallagher capitalised on a mistake at the back by the Caley Jags to finish past Mark Ridgers.

ICT nearly grabbed one back before the break, Austin Samuels saw his shot from inside the box turned onto the post by Taylor-Sinclair’s block.

Trailing 2-0 at the break, Billy Dodds made one change at the break as Jake Davidson was replaced by Luis Longstaff.

Longstaff looked to make an immediate impact as his pass found Billy Mckay in the box but the striker’s effort was saved by Josh Rae.

Josh Rae scrambled to keep out a Danny Devine header after 50 minutes as the defender met Billy Mckay’s flick on in the box but the Airdrie keeper managed to keep it out despite the appeals from Caley Thistle players it was over the line.

Airdrie captain Adam Frizzell was sent off after 51 minutes for a second yellow card. He was booked just before the break for an off the ball challenge and then shown a second yellow for a late challenge on Keith Bray.

Caley Thistle got back into the game with twenty minutes to go, Luis Longstaff met Charlie Gilmour’s pass and the winger turned well and drove into the box and saw his effort come off the post. Nathan Shaw was on hand to tap in the rebound and score his first goal of the season.

Shaw then looked for his second and an equaliser and after 84 minutes he saw his effort from distance go just past the post.