AIRDRIE came from behind to claim a play-off final against Ayr United later this week but Second Division Peterhead emerged from this match with enormous credit.
The Blue Toon gave as good as they got for large parts of this return clash but the damage had been done in Thursday's 3-1 first-leg defeat at Balmoor.
While delighted to be through, Airdrie manager Kenny Black admitted: "We were really poor and
we were at sixes and sevens after they scored. I was delighted to see the equaliser go in but I thought it was a bit harsh that we won it."
Airdrie dominated the early possession but failed to give Paul Jarvie any genuinely anxious moments. The Peterhead keeper was able to watch untroubled as Kevin McDonald's 20-yard volley sailed over the bar and then Simon Lynch's ambitious acute-angled effort also failed to hit the target.
It was a similar story when a flowing four-man move by the Diamonds ended with Scott McLaughlin volleying Paul di Giacomo's cross a foot too high.
Having seen off what Airdrie had to offer, the Blue Toon emerged as a more potent attacking threat and Martin Bavidge almost broke the deadlock when he fastened onto a through ball and saw his shot deflected inches over by Marc Smyth.
Then Graeme Sharp pounced on a slack pass by Stephen McKenna before darting into the box and cutting the ball back into the danger area. However, Smyth was on hand to sweep the ball off the six-yard line.
At the other end Bavidge upended McDonald 25 yards out and McLaughlin's free kick deflected off the wall and dipped over the bar.
Airdrie suffered a setback on the half-hour when Bobby Donnelly limped off following a collision with Peterhead defender Callum McDonald.
The First Division side received an even bigger jolt when Peterhead grabbed the lead on the stroke of half-time.
Sharp's free kick was flicked on by McDonald and Stuart McKay's header crept in at Stephen Robertson's left-hand post.
The Balmoor men should have levelled the tie immediately when Bavidge's cross fell for the unmarked Sharp.
However, the little winger took stage fright and totally miscued his ten-yard shot.
The visitors continued to threaten on the restart and Bobby Mann sent a looping header inches wide following a precise free-kick delivery from Daniel Moore.
Sharp squandered another fine chance after being released by McDonald's clever pass as the home fans started to vent their frustration.
The supporters got the response they were looking for from their players when Steven McDougall's corner was headed firmly into the net by Smyth.
Jarvie kept Peterhead's fading hopes alive when he clawed McLaughlin's curling free-kick round the post.
However, home substitute John Baird bundled in a late winner which flattered the hosts.
Peterhead manager Neale Cooper declared: "I was really pleased with the performance. We had the game in our total control and if we had taken our chances we could be through.
"Graeme Sharp had two good chances but didn't take either and then we conceded a soft goal.
"Goals change matches and you could see Airdrie getting a lift physically and mentally."
The full article contains 546 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
