AIRDRIE manager Ian Murray was given a public caution as his side held on for all three points in a contentious Betfred League Cup win over Clyde.

The former Hibs and Rangers player was cautioned as he protested substitute David Goodwillie's 75th minute penalty, a goal that put Airdrie under unnecessary pressure after they allowed a 3-0 lead to slip from their grasp.

Goodwillie netted a second with a glancing header five minutes from time but Airdrie held on to take all three points and give themselves a fighting chance of making it out of Group F.

“I don’t know what that [the yellow card] was for,” said Murray. “A public warning was what the referee told me, whatever that means. It is a first in football, I think, to get a public warning from the referee.

"I was upset, not with the penalty decision because I could understand why he would give it, but what concerned me was the build-up to the penalty when it should have been a free-kick to us. I think there were six fouls in four seconds on Callum Smith and that was where my frustration came from. 

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“I am disappointed I got involved in it with the referee because I know that they have a tough job. He just said to me it was public warning. I did tell him I had no idea what it was but I took it on the chin.”

Ally Roy had netted a double, including one from the spot, to supplement Adam Eckersley's strike had given Airdrie which looked to be an unassailable lead before the late flurry from Danny Lennon's side.

“We knew we needed three points and it is the same again on Wednesday when two points won’t be enough for us against Queen’s Park,” he said. “If we can go into the last game on Saturday against Hamilton Accies at home above them and with a better goal difference then we would have something to hang on to but for now we have to go and concentrate on Wednesday night but we are well in it.

“I was disappointed with the goals we conceded but our main objective was to come here and get the win and I have to congratulate the players for doing that. We are well in the mix now."