MOTHERWELL gaffer Maurice Malpas hailed his side's victory in the tinder-box charged Lanarkshire derby dust-up against Airdrie.

Richie Foran's headed first half goal - his 14th of the season - booked a fourth round tie against first division giantkillers Morton.

Malpas said: "It's good to be in the next round. We've been picking up points lately and are looking a happier team.

"Once we were a goal in front, Airdrie had nothing to lose. In the second half, they threw a lot of bodies forward and we did well to contain them.

" Conditions weren't the best and we never played particularly well, but we got our goal and hung on."

Airdrie's gritty performance belied their second from the bottom of the First Division table position.

Diamonds boss Kenny Black threw on Bryan Prunty, Aime Koudou and Brian McPhee in the closing stages to set up an exciting finish.

He said: "At 1-0 we were always in with a chance and threw the three strikers on towards the end to see if we could get the ball forward as quickly as possible.

"I can't fault the players for effort, they've more than held their own against Premier League opposition."