Richie Foran's header gave Motherwell victory in the Tennent's Scottish Cup third-round tie at Bell's First Division strugglers Airdrie.

The Bank of Scotland Premier League side had the upper hand for most of a heated Lanarkshire derby, although the Diamonds were always a threat on the break.

Visitors boss Maurice Malpas gave former Cork City left-back Danny Murphy his first start, in place of the injured Jim Paterson.

Trevor Molloy also came into the starting line-up in place of suspended Marc Fitzpatrick.

Airdrie boss Kenny Black made just one change to the side that beat Hamilton last week with Garry Tierney replacing Paul Lovering.

Motherwell started strongly and looked more threatening during the heated early exchanges.

Foran went close with a left-footed drive from the edge of the Diamonds box after four minutes which sailed wide of Stephen Robertson's far post.

But the hosts came into it and looked menacing in 10 minutes through Steven McDougall who skipped past two players and fed Gary Twigg in the box, but his dangerous cross was cleared.

Striker Scott McDonald was sent clear for Well in 12 minutes, but Robertson rushed off his line to clear the danger.

Murphy was next to threaten the hosts goal as he drove down the left flank and fired in a dangerous cross which needed Garry Tierney to clear off the line.

The visitors took a deserved lead on the half-hour mark when Foran bulleted a header home from close range after Molloy swung in a cross from the left side of the box.

The Diamonds may be struggling just one place away from the foot of the First Division table, but they refused to buckle after going behind.

They almost equalised on 36 minutes when Stephen McKenna rattled goalkeeper Graeme Smith's crossbar with a 25-yard effort.

And Smith was called on to make a fine save from Stephen McKeown on the stroke of half-time, as he fired in a short free-kick from the edge of the box.

Airdrie came more into the match after the restart, but struggled to breach the backline of their Premier League opponents.

McDougall looked menacing again in 49 minutes as he cut in from the left and forced Smith to push a shot wide from the edge of the box.

And seven minutes later Stephen McKeown unleashed a 25-yard effort on his right foot, but it was always rising over.

But the visitors were always dangerous on the break and threatened after 61 minutes when Clarkson crossed from the left and Neil McGowan was on hand to head clear.

Substitute Darren Smith then threatened for the home side after 68 minutes as he drove in from the right and fired narrowly wide.

Motherwell went close again after 73 minutes when Clarkson slipped a through-ball into the Diamonds box which sent McGarry clear, but Robertson rushed off his line and got there first.

Airdrie boss Kenny Black threw on substitutes Aime Koudou, Brian McPhee and Bryan Prunty to bolster the Diamonds' frontline in the closing stages.

They had some sustained pressure late on, with Smith doing well to save from McKeown in 84 minutes, but the visitors clung on to make it through to the next round.

Teams:

Airdrie Utd Robertson, Smyth, Tierney (Koudou 76), McGowan,McKenna, McDougall (McPhee 86), Taylor, McKeown, Holmes,Barrau (Prunty 79), Twigg.

Subs Not Used: Hollis, Watson.

Motherwell Graeme Smith, Corrigan, Craigan, Reynolds, Murphy,Molloy (Darren Lee Smith 60), Kerr, McGarry, Foran,McDonald (Connolly 90), Clarkson.

Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Keegan, Quinn.

Booked: Murphy, Darren Lee Smith.

Goals: Foran 31.

Att: 5,924

Ref: K Clarke (Scotland).