Morton 0 Airdrie 0: Diamonds boss hails penalty kings after shootout win sets up Raith semi-final

Rhys McCabe heaped praise on his penalty kings as the Diamonds booked their place in the SPFL Trust Trophy semi-finals with a shootout win over Morton.

The Airdrie player/boss watched his side play out an entertaining stalemate at Cappielow, where Ton finished the game with 10 men after Robbie Muirhead saw red in stoppage time for taking out Lewis McGregor as he bore in on goal.

With the match going straight to spot-kicks, it was left to goalkeeper Josh Rae to be the hero in a 6-5 triumph.

Rae - who made some top stops during the 90 minutes to keep Ton at bay - saved Lewis McGrattan’s sudden death spot-kick after 10 perfect penalties had been taken.

Airdrie can look forward to a semi-final with former boss Ian Murray and his Raith Rovers side in February.

And McCabe said: "We are happy with the result.

"First half I thought we were really good, created a lot of chances, but in the second half Morton were the better side.

"They put us under a lot of pressure but we stood up to it.

"When it goes to penalties, it becomes a lottery but the boys went up and Josh made a big save again.

"For the conditions and the pitch, I thought the game was entertaining.

"The quality could have been a bit better, but the goalkeepers made two or three great saves in each half and there were opportunities.

"It wasn't a snooze-fest of a 0-0.

"We knew there would be points in the game when we would have to dig in - you also do when you come to Cappielow - but the good thing is we are through.

"Regardless of what level it is at, we are in a semi-final with the chance to get to a final.

"The boys are cheery and happy, and we will make sure we give it a right good go in the next game."

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