DUNFERMLINE earned a quarter-final date with Aberdeen but they were pushed all the way in an entertaining tie at the Excelsior.
Indeed, the Diamonds displayed their traditional battling cup qualities and with a bit of luck might have earned a replay.
But if Airdrie manager Kenny Black had stressed the need for improved defending after their heaviest defeat of the season ag
ainst Queen of the South on Saturday, the message failed to sink in as former Airdrie player Graeme Holmes had his old mates a goal behind inside two minutes.
The midfielder's left-foot shot was unstoppable as it crashed in off the underside of the bar from 18 yards.
Airdrie did finally grasp the gravity of their situation and their response was impressive even if their equaliser left the visitors nursing a grievance.
Paul Di Giacomo and Simon Lynch linked neatly to release Joe Cardle who tumbled to the ground under a challenge from Greg Ross.
The contact looked minimal but Calum Murray immediately pointed to the spot from where Scott McLaughlin gave Paul Gallacher no chance with a powerful shot high into the net.
The Fifers looked the more likely to settle the tie at the first attempt and they did so with their second spectacular goal of the evening.
A free kick into the home box was only partially cleared and substitute Graham Bayne met it with a spectacular volley into the top left corner.
Dunfermline manager Jim McIntyre noted: "Graham Bayne simply doesn't score tap-ins – every goal he gets is a contender for goal of the season and that was another one tonight."
McIntyre added: "Playing Aberdeen will be a great test for us and the two Jimmys (Calderwood and Nicholl] coming back adds a bit of spice."
Airdrie substitute Stephen Maguire and defender Paul Nixon both went close in the dying minutes but the Pars held out for a victory they just deserved.
Airdrie Utd: Robertson; McLachlan, Hazley, McLaughlin, Smyth, Nixon, McDougall (Watt 76). McKenna, Di Giacomo, Lynch (Maguire 76), Cardle. Subs: Smith, Brown, Hollis (GK).
Dunfermline Athletic: Gallacher; Thomson (Bayne 64), Wilson, Phinn, Shields, McCann, Ross (Woods 32), Holmes, Loy, Kirk (Mole 74), Bell. Subs: Muirhead, Reidford (GK).
Referee: C Murray
Attendance: 1,772
