THE signs that the 668 souls who turned up at the Excelsior Stadium last night were in for a thriller were hard to find.

The first meeting in the Scottish Cup third round between Morton and Airdrie-onians was played out over 90 goalless minutes that were so dull on the senses the match highlights could have been used as an anaesthetic, while the drab contest even gained legendary status online given the reports scrawled down in its aftermath.

While this meeting is also unlikely to live long in the memory of those who either saw it or took part in it, the crowd were at least treated to two goals which proved enough to see Ton through to the fourth round to face Spartans.

Both strikes came courtesy of Cappielow forward Andy Barrowman as he showed a clinical edge the men in red and white could only wish for.

His contribution was ultimately the difference between the sides who failed to show any real quality in a tousy and ragged cup tie.

The former Dunfermline man's first goal arrived nine minutes before half-time.

Neat interplay with Jon Scullion saw a cute flick play in Barrowman on the right-hand side and he showed a calm head to calmly drill the ball between the legs of Airdrie keeper Andy McNeil.

His second came with 13 minutes left on the clock.

Substitute John Boyle was sent scampering down the left flank for him to break into the box and lash a fierce shot at goal. His effort was parried by McNeil, but only into the path of the onrushing Barrowman, who again showed his composure to half-volley the ball into the net.

Apart from a Scullion attempt just after the break, there were few efforts for either team to get excited about.

Seconds after going behind former Morton man Marc Fitzpatrick sourned a glorious chance just five yards out when a crossed ball landed in front of him. But he could only fluff his lines as Derek Gaston came out to claim.

As the game slipped away the hosts continued to press, but it ultimately proved too little too late.

Scott Stewart chased a lost cause to the byline on 81 minutes only for his chipped cutback to dink off the top of the bar and away to safety.

Gary Bollan's men would go close again just seconds later as Keigan Parker lashed a volley towards goal only for Airdrie sub Bryan Prunty to inadvertently head it over. Eventually George Salmond brought matters to a close, only for the fans of both teams to realise they will go through it all over again on Saturday on league duty.

"I said Airdrie were the better team in the first game but I thought we were better in this game," said Jim Duffy, the Morton manager.

"Cup ties aren't always the prettiest, but it's all about being in the next round and we did that. It wasn't a classic."

In the other third round replay, Alloa beat Ayr United 4-0 with goals from Liam Buchanan, Daryll Meggett and Mark Docherty (2).