Today we saw a return to the form and fighting spirit that had won many of us over in the opening weeks of the season. Kenny had opted to go for a 4 - 4 - 2 formation that matched up well with Partick Thistles starting line up. As we know Kevin MacDonald and Mark Smyth were suspended for today's game and Macdonalds abscence may have been what promted Kenny to change the formation. Darren Smith stepped in for Mark at right back and had a excellent game.

The line up:-
Airdrie Utd: Robertson, Bobby Donnelly, McKenna, Nixon, Lovering, McDougall (Brown 72), Darren Smith, McLaughlin, Cardle, Di Giacomo, Lynch (Noble 79). Subs Not Used: Hazley, Watt, Hollis.

In the simplest of terms the match was one after three minutes, Paul Di Gicomo struck a low shot past Hinchcliffe and Airdrie were 1 - 0 up. From there we dominated the first half Simon Lynch broke away on the half hour mark but was well well covered by John Robertson and a few other half chances for both sides were swept up by the respective defences.

Partick Thistle showed up in the second half, and the match began to resemble our league meeting against them earier in the season, both team had chances and it was going to come down to the first team to make a mistake.

This time around it was Thistles mistake that could have sealed it for the Diamonds. Stuart Nobles legs were kicked away from him in the penalty box and referee Somers signalled for a penalty with out a moments thought, Paul Di Giacomo claims the ball and stepped up confidently to strike the ball. Hinchcliffe managed to block it with his legs and kept Thistle in the game.

 For the dying minutes of the match it's backs against the wall, but we hold on to earn a place in the ALBA Challenge cup final on the 16th of November.

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