This match was a dress rehearsal for next weeks Challenge Cup Final and it turned out to be a cracker.

It was Livingston however that took the lead in 9mins when Marino Keith latched on to a through ball and slotted the ball past Sanchez Broto. The diamonds were rattled and Livi took advantage of it just two minutes later when Burns punished Airdrie for bad defending to put the home side two up.

Airdrie began to battle back and were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when the strength and trickery of David Fernandez got him past his man at the by line only to be body checked inside the box.

The diamonds pulled a goal back in 13mins when Stuart Taylor showed bravery in the box to crash the ball past the Livi keeper.

Taylor was replaced by Moreau due to his injury and the Frenchman had the perfect opportunity to level the tie from the spot when Prest was hauled down in the penalty area but his weak shot straight at the keeper was easily saved.

Airdrie started the second half the better team and the Livi defence was always struggling to cope with David Fernandez.

The Diamonds got a deserved equalizer after a sustained spell of pressure on the home side, Livi failed to clear a corner properly and Antonio Calderon fired in another class goal from the edge of the box.

Airdrie had a nervous end to the game when Martin Prest was red carded for a second bookable offence. Livi sensed victory and went for the jugular and the goal nearly came from an extremely dubious penalty decision from ref, Willie Young. Bingham stepped up to take the kick and fired wide of the target.

Overall this game was not for the faint hearted and a draw was probably a good result for Livi. With a bit of a break, Airdrie could have taken all three points back down the M8 with them.

Airdrie side : Broto, Boyce(Elliot) McCann, Forrest, Ireland, Brady, Capin, Taylor(Moreau), Calderon, Fernandez(McGuire), Prest(Red Card)