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AIRDRIEONIANS 0–0 COVE RANGERS (AGG: 2-1)

It will be League One football for Cove Rangers again next season, but the boys did not go down without a fight, outplaying their Championship opponents for large parts of the game, but unable to find the elusive goal that might have turned the tie their way.

The manager made one change for the second leg, Adam Emslie returning in place of Mitch Megginson, who was fit enough only for a place of the bench. Connor Scully was out due to a concussion injury suffered in a head knock late in the first game.

It was our 48^th match of the season, the longest campaign the club has had since promotion to the SPFL in 2019.

Airdrieonians kicked-off and were immediately on the front foot, but we soon gained possession and subjected the home defence to some sustained pressure. In the second minute Fraser Fyvie threaded a ball into Declan Glass, the midfielder closed down on the edge of the box as he prepared to shoot, but the ball ran to Ryan Harrington. The full-back cut infield to shoot, his low angled drive blocked by Bannon.

Another fine passing move saw Dylan Lobban free down the right, and his cross was dangerous, Emslie getting a touch at the near post but unable to divert it goalwards.

The home side countered, Ben Wilson running into space to shoot, Nick Suman diving to his left to make a fine save.

We were immediately back on the attack, Fyvie and Glass combining from a short corner, and when Fraser delivered, Will Gillingham rose to get his head on it, keeper Melrose getting an important hand on the ball to flick it over.

There was a big opening in the thirteenth minute. Harrington controlled the ball and sent an accurate pass deep into the area which Adam Emslie fastened on to. The teenager took a touch and was forced wide, but got off a low, powerful drive, only to be denied by the sprawling Melrose, who saved with his feet.

Airdrie enjoyed a better spell, without seriously troubling Suman, but we continued to look dangerous, playing some attractive football without finding that killer pass.

Out of nowhere, the home side were presented with a glaring opportunity ten minutes from the break when we lost possession and Ben Wilson ran in behind. He shot, but Arron Darge slid in to make an important block.

Another nice combination had the home side on the back foot, and when Harrington found Declan Glass, the midfielder spun into space, but could only shoot over from the angle of the box.

Blair Yule was next to have a go, his long-range drive charged down by Aidan Wilson, then Darge surged forward from midfield, but his shot was sliced wide of the right post. In our next foray forward, Glass tormented the Airdrieonians defence, weaving to the bye-line, but his cross was snatched by Melrose.

It had been a strong first half showing by the boys, but the home side enjoyed the better of the early exchanges after the interval, and we had to hold firm to keep them out.

Having done so, we started seeing more of the ball, and after a four man move involving Lobban, Yule, Glass and Emslie, Adam saw his eighteen-yard strike blocked by Bannon.

Dylan Lobban and Declan Glass were again to the fore in our next attack, Ryan Harrington’s low long-ranger well held by Melrose.

Fraser Fyvie spread the play to the right where Lobban took a superb first touch and fired across goal, Wilson just getting to the ball before Emslie could pounce.

As the game moved into its final quarter, the manager threw on Mitch Megginson – who had been struggling with injury since the first leg of the semi-final in Dumfries – in place of Findlay Marshall.

Airdrieonians came close in the seventy-third minute when Ben Wilson wriggled into space in the area to curl a low effort just beyond the far post with Nick Suman beaten.

Glass flashed in a dangerous cross soon after, but under pressure, Megginson could not get enough purchase on his header, and it flew wide.

With ten minutes to go, Paul Hartley went for it, throwing on strikers Grady McGrath and Myles Gaffney for Declan Glass and Will Gillingham. Soon after, Ryan Harrington was withdrawn, Liam Parker coming on up front in what was now a 3-2-5 formation.

We were pouring men forward, and Gaffney troubled Melrose, forcing the keeper to make a smart save to clutch his stinging angled drive.

Airdrie were defending desperately now, throwing bodies at the ball, and despite the boys giving their all, the home side saw out the five minutes of stoppage time, the goalless draw enough to preserve their Championship status.

The final whistle brought the curtain down on a long, hard campaign for the squad during which they set numerous personal and club milestones, and despite the disappointment at the end, the players should be proud of everything they have done throughout.

AIRDRIEONIANS (4-2-3-1): Melrose; MacDonald, A. Wilson, Bannon, Strapp; McMaster, Frizzell (c); McGrattan (Gallagher 64), Mochrie (McStravick 59), Armstrong; B. Wilson

Substitutes: Wright, McCabe, McGregor, Diack, Duffy, Watson,

Goalscorers:

Booked: Frizzell (53)

COVE RANGERS (4-3-3): Suman; Lobban, Gillingham (McGrath 80), Doyle, Harrington (Parker 84); Yule, Darge, Marshall (Megginson 69); Fyvie (c), Emslie, Glass (Gaffney 80)

Substitutes: Demus, Murray

Goalscorers:

Booked: Fyvie (83), Yule (86)

Referee: Ross Hardie

Attendance: 1,904

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