Robert Dalzell's photo gallery of the game. Remember Bob's photos are copyrighted.

That was until we got to the ground. Somehow the team that was announced seemed to have a wee something about it. Paul Armstrong seemed to be lining up in midfield again. Jimmy Boyle in from the start on the right. Vella back in defence. "Hang on a minute Sandy, have you been holding something back from us?" seemed to be the question on everyones lips that I spoke to in the ten minutes before the match. Add to that the exiting talents of Alan Gow, Jerome, Neil McGowan and you just never know. And what about big Bungle Jeffries? He seemed to be taking us lightly. No Canero, No Mahood, No Freddie, No Shields.

I think it's fair to say that Airdrie were more than just a bit pinned back. Very quickly we settled into a very reserved 541 formation with a half fit Jerome being asked the impossible as the lone striker. Gow and Glancy were the support from midfield but they'd struggle to get forward quick enough. That said Killie's best chance of the game was a misplaced header from Simon Vella in the first half. The incredible save from Mark McGeown was one of many the wee Goalie would pull off but surely the most tricky. Jesus blasted over in front of us when it looked easier to score and Stevie "Rikishi" Full-ton blasted a humdinger inches past right on half time.

The second half seemed to drag on. With Stewart and Brannigan keeping Killie at bay with a display only possible thanks to their vast experience, and McGeown in inspired form, even by his own standards, Airdrie held out. Up in the stands there was an unnoffical singing contest going on as we managed to keep singing "oh the Diamonds are red" for a good 25 minutes. The noise from our stand must surely have driven the team on to hold out. We kept singing and they kept tackling. Glancy had a decent pop at goal during that period and Killie had a dozen chances down the other end.

Into injury time and Airdrie swapped Stevie McKeown for Vareille, Harvey for Glancy and Willie Wilson for Boyle, in an attempt to freshen it up a bit. A change in emphasis on the stands as we kept 'Sandy Stewart's Red & White army' going for the entire second period of extra time. The team held out, we held out and it was onto penalties. Doc won the toss and took the first penalty. Killie scored through Boyd, then up stepped Vella. No offence big man but I was scratching my head here, but no worries. The Malteser hit it like Beckham. Mahood was next and McGeown guessed right. Then it was a smiling Paul Harvey. No probs again for Harv. I remember him doing the same years back. Jesus strode up to an amazing reception, but it wasn't enough to embarrass him into missing. Then wee Stevie McKeown strode up. He might be a couple of pounds overweight but the boy has guts. 4-2. Rikishi made it 4-3 then Alan Gow confidently placed the ball. The boys bottled dropped then Killie left back Garry Hay needed to score to keep it alive. McGeown got it right and the place went mental. Nuff said .

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