Airdrie must beat Cove Rangers to retain their place in the William Hill Scottish Championship after both sides came through their play-off semi-finals on Saturday.

Alex Bannon and Ben Wilson struck either side of half-time as Airdrie, who finished ninth in the second tier, beat Stenhousemuir 2-1 at the Albert Bartlett Stadium to complete a 5-2 aggregate success.

Stenhousemuir, the lowest-ranked of the play-off sides after coming fourth in League One, replied in the second period through Matt Yates but the task was beyond them as the Diamonds eased through.

Rangers, who finished runners-up in League One to the automatically promoted Arbroath, beat Queen of the South 2-1 after the sides had drawn 0-0 in their first leg.

Mitch Megginson put the hosts on the way to victory with an eighth-minute penalty at the Balmoral Stadium before Blair Yule doubled the lead two minutes after the break.

Kai Kennedy gave the Doonhamers hope 13 minutes from time but Paul Hartley’s side held on.

Rangers will host the first leg of the final on Wednesday with the return taking place next Saturday.