AIRDRIE's five-goal bonanza suggests they won't be the first division whipping boys many anticipated. Indeed, after a solid start to the season in which the Diamonds have eliminated Hearts from the Co-operative Insurance Cup, there is an air of togetherness that bodes well for the months ahead.

Paul Di Giacomo summed up the mood: "There is a good atmosphere which is down to the manager and all the backroom staff. It's very much a family club and everybody is pulling together."

Di Giacomo, who scored his first league goal for Airdrie, added: "I think my decision to leave Killie has been justified. I wasn't guaranteed a game there and the reason I came here was that Kenny Black said to me if I worked my socks off and showed the right attitude I'll play every week."

After failing to score in four previous outings, Airdrie broke their duck in style with Scott McLaughlin putting his old Morton mates on the back foot with two well-taken first- half goals. Di Giacomo then got in on the act and David Nixon glanced home Matt Hazley's free kick early in the second half before Simon Lynch completed the rout with an excellent solo effort.

Morton's misery was complete when Allan McManus was red-carded for a reckless tackle on Stephen McKenna.

Davie Irons, the Morton manager, said: "It was an absolute disgrace. As far as I'm concerned some of them never turned up today."