Lions Tamed!!!!!!!!!

The Diamonds tamed the Livvi Lions at Broadwood today to lift the Bells Challenge Cup.

Airdrie started the match well and Antonio Calderon almost opened the scoring when he fired in a left foot shot only to watch it cannon off the post with Alexander beaten but it was Livingston who took the lead after 17 minutes when Crabbe latched on to a poor clearance from the Airdrie defence and the ball somehow made It's way through a maze of legs and the un-sighted Broto had no chance of saving it.

McGuire Celebrates with Prest and Ireland

Sanchez Broto Enjoys the day

Airdrie began to fight their way back into the game and on 28 minutes, Austin McCann broke free on the left hand side and fired over an inch perfect cross to Martin Prest, the Argentinian striker made no mistake with his header and levelled the tie.

The two sides left the park at half time all square and the scene was set for an exciting second half.

Livingston went ahead again 5 minutes into the second period when they won a free kick on the left hand side. From the resulting cross, Anderson rose above everybody to head Livvi back into the lead.

Once again The Diamonds rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in and got their reward after a long period of pressure on the Livvi back four. Airdrie won a corner on the right hand side and once again Austin McCann fired in a dangerous ball and the smallest man on the park, David McGuire, found enough room to head the ball into the net and send the Airdrie faithful delirious.

Both sides fought hard for the winner but it finished 2-2 after 90 minutes and the match went into extra time.

Airdrie seemed to be the hungrier side in extra time and could have taken the lead when McGuire skinned his man on the right hand side and with Prest waiting for the cut back, McGuire could only find a Livvi defender who thumped the ball to safety.

Once again the tie was still level and it came down to penalties.

Airdrie scored their first penalty through Sanjuan to go one up. Sanchez Broto then guessed right with Livvi's first spot kick and saved well.

Next for Airdrie was Capin but the defender put the ball wide of the target and Livvi were back in it.

Crabbe stepped up and levelled for Livvi.

Martin Prest then put Airdrie two one up with Livvi keeper Alexander almost saving.

Livvi then scored their second penalty with Sanchez Broto going the wrong way this time.

Fabrice Moreau then stepped up to take a penalty and there was a lot of hearts in a lot of mouths after his miss from the spot last week against Livvi but the Cameroon International made no mistake this time round and fired Airdrie into a three two lead.

It was all down to Sanchez Broto to save the next penalty and he did just that. The players swarmed the big keeper and then the fans did likewise with a mass pitch invasion. The joy on the players faces was immense and it was thoroughly deserved after all their efforts this season. This win will be a real morale booster and will surely inspire enough confidence in the team to start climbing the league.

Airdrie Side : Broto, Armstrong, McCann, Forrest, Ireland, Brady, Moreau, Calderon, Elliot, Prest, Fernandez.

Subs : McGuire, Capin, Sanjuan, Boyce, Wilson.