An impressive display from Kilmarnock's kids ensured Airdrie's Scottish Cup dream had died before the end of the first half of the third round tie at Rugby Park.

Teenage striker Paul Di Giacomo proved to be inspirational and, although it was Ally Mitchell, Jesus Sanjuan and Peter Canero who all netted, the 19-year-old played a part in each goal to ensure a place in the fourth round of the competition.

Many predicted an upset when Airdrie were paired with the Ayrshire side after the Diamonds had lead the First Division for much of the season and captured the Bell's Challenge Cup earlier in the year.

And the belief they could continue their impressive campaign by progressing to the fourth round of the competition was further enforced when they threatened to take the lead with just 48 seconds on the clock.

Owen Coyle put the ball through for Stuart Taylor who made sure Gordon Marshall earned his week's wages by forcing the goalkeeper into an impressive one-handed save.

But the Diamonds were allowed to enjoy all the excitement of the Scottish Cup for just 11 minutes.

Then Killie cranked up the pressure and showed that they wouldn't be the Premier League scalp Airdrie so desperately craved.

The opener came courtesy of Mitchell after Di Giacomo's original effort was blocked by goalkeeper Allan Ferguson.

Then, eight minutes later, Sanjuan gave Killie a comfortable lead when he grabbed his first goal for the club against his former employers.

Airdrie's best chance of hauling a goal back in the first half came after 24 minutes when Taylor met Craig McPherson's 25-yard free-kick only to see his glancing header blocked by Marshall.

Instead it was Kilmarnock who were destined to score again.

Manager Bobby Williamson's decision to hand a starting role to young Di Giacomo was paying dividends and, once again, he tormented Airdrie by going on a superb run before crossing to Canero.

The finishing from Canero was poor but the defending from Airdrie was worse and the ball was allowed to trundle over the line from a few yards out after 32 minutes.

Boosted by his bizarre goal, Canero tried his luck again three minutes later with an elaborate drive from 20 yards out but Ferguson was up to the challenge and pushed the ball over the crossbar for a corner.

The re-start brought little respite for Airdrie as Killie continued to push for more goals.

Di Giacomo played a cheeky ball through to Mitchell on the edge of the 18-yard box but his shot only made it as far as Neil MacFarlane, whose body provided a timely deflection after 50 minutes.

Five minutes later, Killie should have netted.

Kris Boyd took the ball round goalkeeper Ferguson and should have shot at the open goal.

Instead, he opted to play the ball across to Mitchell on the edge of the six-yard box but, by the time he shot, Kevin James was in a position to block the effort.

Just after the hour mark, Airdrie enjoyed a spell of possession and that brought with it a couple of decent chances at goal.

McPherson flighted the ball into the area and it was picked up by Coyle but the man who has grabbed so many goals this term connected awkwardly and the ball was easily scooped up by Marshall after 65 minutes.

A minute later, the striker had another go and, this time, his strategy was to chip the ball over the goalkeeper but that ploy had about as much success as his earlier effort and, once again, the ball was held.

But Coyle was determined to score now and the only person who was capable of stopping him from adding his name to the scoresheet was referee Eric Martindale.

The evergreen hitman connected with a Mark Roberts cross to nod home from a couple of yards out after 70 minutes but the referee took the advice of his assistant and disallowed the goal for offside.

Former Celtic striker Tommy Johnson was given his chance when he replaced Stephen Murray and Diamonds keeper Ferguson had evidently picked up a knock when manager Ian McCall opted to swap him for reserve goalkeeper Neal Bennett.

But Bennett's shift between the sticks proved to be a lot less eventful as Killie seemed to run out of steam with their passage to the fourth round safely secured.

Teams:

Kilmarnock: Marshall, Canero, McGowne, Dindeleux, Hay, Mitchell, Calderon (McDonald 80), Sanjuan, Murray (Johnson 70), Di Giacomo, Boyd (Jaconelli 59).

Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Canning.

Booked: Mitchell.

Goals: Mitchell 12, Sanjuan 20, Canero 33.

Airdrie: Ferguson (Bennett 75), Armstrong (MacDonald 62), Stewart, James, McPherson, McFarlane, Henry, Taylor, Smith (Gardner 54), Coyle, Roberts.

Subs Not Used: Dunn, Ronald.

Booked: Armstrong, Stewart, Taylor.

Att: 6,849

Ref: E Martindale (Scotland).