NORWICH City made it three wins from three games during their tour of Scotland with a 3-2 victory over Airdrie United at a rain-soaked Shyberry Excelsior Stadium this afternoon.

Manager Bryan Gunn handed second starts to triallists Jens Berthel Askou and Goran Maric against the Scottish Second Division side. 

Norwich forced the game's first corner on five minutes when a Jamie Cureton cross was cut out. Sadly Matt Gill's delivery from the set piece was over hit and caused little trouble for the Airdrie defence.

Declan Rudd was then called into action moments later to deal with a driven cross from Frank Lagana.

Wes Hoolahan looked particularly bright in the early exchanges and chipped into the 'keeper's arms on nine minutes.

City forced their third corner on 11 minutes and Askou met Gill's cross only to see his effort headed off the line by Darren Smith.

On 13th minutes Norwich took the lead when Wes Hoolahan headed into an empty net after Matty Pattison's shot from a Jamie Cureton cross bounced into the Irishman's path who simply headed home from just three-yards out.

City almost made it two on 18 minutes when a great run by Hoolahan saw him surge forward, draw the 'keeper and tee up Jamie Cureton who saw his effort on goal blocked by a covering defender.

On 23 minutes the hosts were awarded a penalty when Rudd came to collect a cross and tangled with an Airdrie forward. Scott McLaughlin then stepped up and sent Rudd the wrong way from the spot to level the match at 1-1.

Boss Bryan Gunn was forced into an early and unexpected change when Paul McVeigh replaced Pattison on 29 minutes. Pattison immediately headed down the tunnel with physiotherapist Simon Spencer.

City restored their lead on 33 minutes as Hoolahan fed Gill who whipped in a great cross from the right for Maric to powerfully head home.

Just four minutes after scoring City's second goal of the game and his second of the Scottish tour, Maric then hobbled off to be replaced by Chris Martin.

Four minutes before the break City made it 3-1 with a second goal from a triallist as Askou met a McVeigh free-kick from the left with a bullet header from close range.

Half-Time: Airdrie United 1 City 3

The half-time interval saw three Norwich changes with Jed Steer and Simon Lappin replacing Declan Rudd and Adam Drury respectively. David Stephens also entered the fray, replacing Michael Spillane, with Dario Dumic reverting to right-back and Stephens partnering Askou in the heart of the City defence.

City started the sharper of the two teams and continued to dictate play. Cureton went close to extending City's lead ten minutes into the second half when he sent a curling shot fractionally wide of the target after being set up by the highly impressive Hoolahan.

New 'keeper Steer had to be alert on 58 minutes after a shot from distance caught a deflection off of the boot of Askou but the young stopper got down smartly to gather the ball.

Cureton was almost in on goal on the hour-mark after Paul McVeigh poked the ball into his path but 'keeper Hollis was smartly off his line to smother the danger.

On 66 minutes City made two further changes with Askou making way for Michael Nelson and Tudur Jones for Tom Adeyemi.

Norwich made their final change of the game with 20 minutes remaining as Michael Bridges replaced the industrious Matt Gill.

Airdrie reduced the arrears on 74 minutes when a triallist for the Scottish club scored with a diving header from close range, which left Steer with little chance.

Norwich were forced to play the final 14 minutes with ten men after Wes Hoolahan left the field and all the City substitutes had been used.

Airdrie pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages of the game with the man advantage in the very heavy rain, which made conditions very difficult, but City held on for victory to make it three wins from three in Scotland.

Full-Time: Airdrie United 2 City 3

After the match City boss Bryan Gunn told First News: "I'm pleased, the winning mentality that we asked for was shown. We finished off the game with 10 men so the boys had to dig deep to keep the result. Overall the week has been very successful."

The City boss was also keen to praise the impressive performance of Wes Hoolahan: "Wes was excellent in the first-half and capped it off with a goal. You don't often see Wes Hoolahan score with a header but you did today!"

CITY: Rudd (Steer 45), Spillane (Stephens 45), Drury (Lappin 45), Gill (Bridges 70), Dumic, Askou (Nelson 66), Tudur Jones (Adeyemi 66), Hoolahan, Maric (Martin 37), Cureton, Pattison (McVeigh 29).

Airdrie: Hollis, Smith (Bain 70), Lovering, McDonald, Donnelly, Nixon, Lagana (Keast 70), McLaugghlin (McCabe 80), Triallist (Robertson 80), Baird, Triallist (Watt 56). Subs not used: Byrne.

Referee: Eddie Smith