Airdrie United 2 - 2 Ross County: The language of the commentary may have been alien to many of the nation's viewers, but the action-packed climax to the ALBA Challenge Cup was familiar.
- AET. Airdrie won 3-2 on pens
The language of the commentary may have been alien to many of the nation's viewers, but the action-packed climax to the ALBA Challenge Cup was familiar as Airdrie defeated Ross County on penalty kicks.
The victory by Kenny Black's side marked the first time the club had won this tournament in their current guise, but in their former incarnation as Airdrieonians they lifted the trophy on three previous occasions.
It is a tournament which has a history of producing high drama and once again it did not disappoint. BBC's Gaelic service provided much-needed sponsorship and television coverage and viewers were treated to two own goals, one by Airdrie's David Nixon and another by Ross County's Andy Dowie, with strikes from Stephen McKenna and Sean Higgins sandwiched in between.
Penalty kicks ended up being the only way to split the teams, with Airdrie, who defeated Hearts in similar fashion earlier in the season, victorious by 3-2, Marc Smyth converting the winning kick.
That goal should cap a memorable week for the defender, whose partner, Stacey, is expecting the birth of their second child.
"She's due any minute and I was wondering if the excitement of penalties was going to make her give birth," Smyth revealed. "She was probably hoping it would, because she's ready to have a wee girl.
"People talk down this tournament, but that's only because they're not in the final. It's a great chance to get your hands on a medal."
Black won the trophy during his days as a player and revealed the feeling as manager is just the same.
"I won this tournament years ago as a player, beating Dundee at this venue, and it's just the same as a manager," he admitted.
"When it went to penalties we were confident, because Stephen Robertson has a knack of saving them."
There was relatively little real goalmouth action in the first half, although Mark McCulloch had to endure a moment's worry when, in his attempt to send Smyth's low cross out of play, he almost turned it into his own net.
The opening goal finally arrived on 60 minutes and, despite County's mounting pressure, it was a cruel one on Airdrie.
Brittain's free-kick was met in the air by Higgins, whose header looked set to go through to Robertson's waiting hands, but the ball cannoned off Nixon's shoulder and slinked into the opposite corner.
Airdrie finally drew level with nine minutes remaining, following some fantastic work by Di Giacomo. The former Kilmarnock striker wove his way round three men to get into the box before laying back to McKenna, who fired high into the net from 18 yards.
County had a major penalty claim denied in the dying seconds when Smyth appeared to handle inside the penalty area but referee Murray was not, interested.
Bullock had to be at his sharpest on 98 minutes when a dangerous Cardle cross looked destined to sneak under the crossbar, but he could do nothing five minutes later as Airdrie went ahead for the first time in the match.
Substitute Matthew Hazeley sent a great low cross towards the near post and, unluckily for Dowie, his attempt to steer the ball away ended in disaster as it squirmed into his own net.
In keeping with the bizarre nature of the match, County equalised in controversial fashion on 113 minutes. Airdrie disputed the award of a corner kick, insisting it was substitute Darren Smith who had played the ball out.
Perhaps those protestations were still on their mind when Martin Scott swung the ball in, because nobody attacked the ball leaving Higgins space at the back post to head the ball home.
With the game needing penalty kicks to decide the outcome, Airdrie emerged victorious with Smyth scoring the winning spot-kick after County's Martin Scott, Scott Morrison and David Winters missed.
