Airdrie Utd 5-0 Morton

Aug 31 2008 Brian Welsh Reports

AIRDRIE hero Scott McLaughlin revealed he wasn't surprised to be booed by Morton fans since he was jeered even when he was playing for the Cappielow men.

McLaughlin haunted his old club with a glorious first-half double that paved the way for a Diamonds demolition job.

Paul Di Giacomo capped a brilliant display with a superb effort before half-time and after David Nixon and Simon Lynch made it 5-0 Ton skipper Allan McManus was sent off to complete the Greenock men's misery.

McLaughlin said: "I heard the abuse start as early as the warm-up but I wasn't surprised as they booed me when I played for them too.

"But I had a good three-and-a-half years there and the Morton fans showed their class by applauding me at the end.

"It was a great result and scoring two goals against your old club is always sweet but I thought the team display was outstanding."

McLaughlin got his own back on the visiting boo-boys by firing in from 18 yards when Di Giacomo's 14th-minute cross wasn't cleared.

It got worse for Ton when keeper Kevin Cuthbert limped off and McLaughin bagged his second in 27 minutes.

Di Giacomo, creator of the first two goals, got one for himself nine minutes from the break when he blasted home from close range. The result was put beyond doubt just before the hour when Matthew Hazley's free-kick was glanced in by Nixon.

And just four minutes later Lynch netted the fifth from an acute angle.

Ton's McManus then let his new club down with a disgraceful challenge on Stephen McKenna for a red card.

Morton boss Davie Irons said: "I'm disgusted. That was a disgrace. I'll take the criticism that comes and question myself, my staff and all the players."

MoM: Di Giacomo (Airdrie)