Airdrie will compete in next season’s Championship after a 0-0 draw with Cove Rangers completed a narrow aggregate play-off win.

While the match itself was a nervy affair devoid of any big moments, the Diamonds will be happy to have achieved their overall objective after an unbeaten play-off run which also saw off Stenhousemuir.

With defender Sam Graham unavailable following a back spasm, Aidan Wilson stepped into the back four, with Rhys Armstrong replacing Liam McStravick in the only other change to the side which won 2-1 at Balmoral Stadium on Wednesday night.

Cove’s top scorer Mitch Megginson was only deemed fit enough for a place on the bench, Adam Emslie returning to replace the veteran striker.

The visitors were lively in the opening exchanges, Alex Bannon tackling well to halt ex-Diamond Declan Glass’s progress inside two minutes.

Lewis McGrattan was on the end of Airdrie’s first promising attack five minutes later, completing a nice passing move with a shot from the edge of the box which Nicholas Suman palmed away.

Cade Melrose punched out an 11th-minute corner before saving from Emslie, who was allowed to advance despite a clear handball and forced the keeper into an improvised block with his feet.

Ben Wilson was unable to turn home Chris Mochrie’s square pass at the near post on 17 minutes, with Armstrong turning provider for Mochrie two minutes later, but Michael Doyle was alert to nick possession.

Suman had an easy hold when Dylan MacDonald’s header bounced kindly midway through the half, and McGrattan blasted a powerful effort wide of the post on 25 minutes after a strong run.

Arron Darge slide in to deny Wilson after Suman seemed to get away with a handball outside the area, and Glass fired well over from the corner of the box with five minutes of the first half remaining.

A late Cove rally saw Will Gillingham fire well wide after bursting through before Melrose claimed a near-post cross in the last action of the half.

The visitors started the second half as strongly as they had ended the first, Armstrong and Melrose denying Fraser Fyvie and Ryan Harrington in the early stages.

Suman did well to beat Wilson in a footrace on the hour mark, and the keeper was on hand to mop up after another good challenge had stopped Adam Frizzell from shooting.

Wilson almost grabbed an eye-catching goal on 73 minutes, taking a pass in the box and twisting away from two defenders before sending in an angled shot which beat Suman, but flew just wide of the far post.

As Cove threw on more attacking players, Megginson saw a 77th-minute header trickle past the post before Frizzell had another effort blocked eight minutes later.

Melrose claimed confidently at his near post with four minutes remaining, and Airdrie’s defence stood strong throughout five minutes of stoppage time.

The clean sheet was enough to secure the play-off win, and a season full of challenges ended in applause and sighs of relief.

Players, staff and supporters alike can now enjoy a short break before the hard work starts all over again with a third successive season in the Championship looming.