Airdrieonians secured their place in the Scottish Championship for another season as they beat Cove Rangers 2-1 on aggregate in their play-off final after a 0-0 second-leg draw at Excelsior Stadium.

The early stages saw Lewis McGrattan bring a good save out of Cove goalkeeper Nicholas Suman, before counterpart Cade Melrose did well at the other end as he blocked Adam Emslie’s shot with his foot at the near post.

McGrattan then hit another attempt wide, and a further Airdrie attack ended with Aidan Wilson being thwarted by a great block from Arron Darge.

After the break, Melrose got down to save Ryan Harrington’s shot just before the hour mark, and Wilson subsequently tried his luck once more, firing wide.

Melrose then dealt with a late Myles Gaffney effort as Cove’s hopes of moving up to the second tier came to an end.