Airdrieonians march on after thrilling five-goal tie

Oct 8 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

AIRDRIEONIANS advanced to the next stage of the Scottish Cup after this five-goal thriller.

The Monklands outfit were the better team in a tight first half which was entertaining and full of meaty tackles.

But within three minutes of the restart, Duncanrigg stunned the hosts by going in front after their striker beat defender Paul Grey and fired a shot past keeper Mickey McFarlane.

The ’Onians came close on a couple of occasions before Steff McAuley converted a Stephen McInally pass to level the scores.

Three minutes later, McAuley’s defence-splitting pass found Grey, who slipped the ball beyond the advancing keeper.

McAuley appeared to kill the tie as a contest when he applied a sublime finish from the edge of the box but Duncanrigg pulled a goal back to make it 3-2.

It set up a thrilling finale but excellent defending from man-of-the-match Grey and Kevin McAleer helped the ’Onians into the next round.