Airdrie 2-0 Queen of the South

Airdrie breezed past Queen of the South in their Bell's Scottish League Challenge Cup first round match at New Broomfield thanks to two goals in three second-half minutes.

The first half was a lacklustre affair with both sides absorbing their opponents' pressure in what was little more than a midfield battle.

But the Diamonds broke the deadlock 16 minutes after the restart when full-back Craig McPherson carved open the visiting defence before cracking home a stunning strike.

Two minutes later, good work on the left by Anthony Smith enabled him to provide a fine cross for Owen Coyle.

The stiker saw his header rebound off the post, but Stuart Taylor was on hand to follow up and he easily slid the ball into the net.

After that killer blow, there was no way back for the Dumfries men and the home side eased through.

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Teams:

Airdrie: Bennett, Armstrong, McPherson, Stewart, McFarlane, James, Beesley, Taylor, Coyle, Smith, Roberts.

Subs: Docherty, Dunn, McDonald, MacDonald.

Queen of the South: Scott, Connelly, McGhie, Gray, Thomson, Crawford, O'Neill, Connell, Connolly, Hawke, Patterson.

Subs: Campbell, Sunderland, Aitken, Weatherson, Davidson.

Referee: B Orr.