Black's 'Diamonds' were totally dominated for large periods of the match and, had it not been for some poor finishing by the East Fife strikers, Dave Baikie's side could have found themselves in the next round draw instead of their opponents.

The height of new strike force Chris Templeman and Craig O'Reilly certainly caused problems in the Airdrie defence with both forwards having, and missing, good chances.

But it was the visitors who had the best opportunity to opening the scoring when, in the second minute, Paul Di Giacomo found himself free in the box.

The striker was given all the time in the world by the static and sluggish looking Fife defence but he headed tamely at Michael Brown.

It wasn't long until Airdrie did snatch the lead, though, when Simon Lynch reacted quickest to a Marc Smyth cross and fired past Brown.

East Fife then really began to dominate the match with Paul Stewart in particular looking lively across the midfield and rarely wasting a ball.

It was Stewart himself who had a great chance to equalise shortly before the half hour mark when, following some great build up play, he managed to got his shot away from just outside the box. Sadly, though, it was held by 'keeper Stephen Robertson.

Templeman arguably was having his best game for East Fife since arriving last season and looked incredibly comfortable with the ball at his feet for somebody of his height.

The striker almost pulled Fife level five minutes before half time when he attempted an acrobatic over head kick from inside the Airdrie box but Robertson was able to get his palms behind it.

The second period was completely dominated by the home side with O'Reilly wasting the best chance to equalise.

The former Dundee player found himself free inside the box but appeared to panic and pulled his shot well wide of the goal.

Templeman also wasted another decent chance when he headed tamely at the keeper from a Goran Stanic cross.

Unfortunately for the home side, the visitors managed to secure their place in the next round when, completely against the run of play, Darren Smith sent a sublime chip over the head of Brown with just five minutes left on the clock.

Following the match Diamonds boss Kenny Black admitted that East Fife were unfortunate not to force at least a draw.

"I thought that East Fife dominated most of the game and, to be honest, they were unlucky not to at least take us into extra time," he said.

Fife boss Davie Baikie, while disappointed to lose the match, said that he was pleased with the efforts of his players.

He said: "We coped with the pace of the match really well and we totally dominated most of the game.

"But we missed four or five chances and then got caught at the back and they scored.

"I don't think the boy meant it to go in, it was just a cross.

"Tonight shows that we can create a lot and once they start going in we'll be fine."