SPFL Trust Trophy final: Airdrieonians come back to win SPFL trophy for first time in 15 years
- Published
Nikolay Todorov scored from the spot to secure Airdrie's win over The New Saints
Airdrieonians have lifted the SPFL Trust trophy for the first time in 15 years after a hotly contested win over Welsh champions The New Saints.
TNS had been looking to become the first non-SPFL club to win the trophy - and extend their 26-game winning run in all competitions.
But, despite taking an early lead at the Falkirk Stadium, Craig Harrison's side were unable to break down the resolute defending that has taken the Lanarkshire side to fourth in the Scottish Championship.
Brad Young had the chance to put TNS ahead just a couple of minutes into the match, somehow contriving to miss from point-blank range after an excellent cross from Dan Williams.
However, he made amends in the 12th minute, riding a tackle to turn provider and flicking a perfectly weighted cross from the right into the path of Ben Clark to put the Welsh side ahead.
Liam McStravick was denied an equaliser just moments later after brave goalkeeping from Connor Roberts plucked the ball from the 19-year-old's feet.
Halfway through the first half, McStravick finally found the net, getting on the end of a tidy ball over the TNS defence from Charlie Telfer to lift the ball over Roberts from distance into the net.
Ben Clark opened the scoring for TNS
Airdrie did well to take the sting out of the game as the second half opened, with player-manager Rhys McCabe substituting himself in favour of Dean McMaster as they looked to frustrate TNS' wing play.
McStravick limped off just before the hour mark after taking a knee knock, forcing McCabe to reshuffle his pack once again and introduce Fulham loanee Chris Donnell.
However, it was fellow substitute Josh O'Connor who played a key role in Airdrie's winner, with Josh Pask bringing the Hibs loanee down in the TNS box. Nikolay Todorov stepped up to coolly slot home the penalty.
TNS went on the attack looking for an equaliser, with Declan McManus coming close 12 minutes from time, his flashed header from a well-executed Josh Daniels cross just narrowly wide of the mark.
Airdrie's back line continued to thwart TNS as the clock ticked down and could have extended their lead with stoppage time looming after Todorov's header was scooped off the line.
Player of the match
Charlie Telfer - the skilful Airdrieonians midfielder was a constant nuisance to TNS and set up McStravick's equaliser with a perfectly weighted chip
What the manager said
Airdrieonians player-manager Rhys McCabe: "I'm delighted. Towards the end of the game, it got a little bit scrappy. But throughout the game, we had enough chances to punish them. It was very entertaining - too much so for my liking. Football is a short career and when you win silverware, you've got to enjoy it."
The New Saints manager Craig Harrison: "I think it's really hard to put into words. Obviously disappointed for the boys, who did such a fantastic job of getting to this stage, and disappointed for the fans who have come all this way. I think if we'd have kept them out for a bit longer we would have probably fared a little bit better. Second half we created enough opportunities, so to lose the game on a really disappointing goal like it was is a bit devastating."