Airdrie regained the Bells Challenge Cup with a 2-1 win over Second Division Alloa at Broadwood Stadium. Airdrie went into the match without defender Tony Smith, who had a hamstring strain.

It took Airdrie just 4 minutes for their first attack, with Mark Roberts firing in a shot from just inside the box which was beaten away by goalkeeper Derek Soutar.Soutar came to the rescue with a superb save from Roberts' eight-yard volley.

Alloa took control late in the first half and goalkeeper Allan Ferguson did well to tip over a wayward interception from his own defender, Sandy Stewart, on the stroke of half-time.

Andy Seaton's thunderous shot from 20 yards was only kept out by the upright as Alloa continued to threaten shortly after the break.

Airdrie hit back and a volley from Coyle produced a first-class save from Soutar after 56 minutes.

Seconds later, Kevin James' shot came off the underside of the bar following a corner.

Fellow defender Craig McPherson went close after 67 minutes when his shot took a slight deflection and fell just wide of the post.

Airdrie made the breakthrough nine minutes later when Coyle managed to get on the end of Roberts' inswinging cross to bullet a header into the bottom right-hand corner.

Bell's man of the match Roberts sealed the win himself with a superb volley from 18 yards before Evans gave Alloa some late hope.

Airdrie: Ferguson, Armstrong, McPherson, Stewart, McManus, James, Gardner, MacFarlane, Coyle, Roberts, Smith

Subs: Taylor, McDonald, Dunn, MacDonald, Bennett