Analysis Airdrie and Alloa both played two games at home and two away each. In the process Airdrieonians scored nine goals and conceded three whilst Alloa Athletic also scored nine but conceded five. However, Alloa Athletic had kept a total of two
clean sheets, both away from home, compared with Airdrie's one clean sheet. In Alloa's two games at
Recreation Park it took
extra time on both occasions before the club emerged winners. One of Airdrieonians' games had gone to extra time but then
penalties before a winner was declared. This was Airdrieonians' third time competing in the Scottish Challenge Cup final, whilst holding a 100% record after winning both the 1994 and
2000 finals. Alloa Athletic were appearing in the final for the second time in the club's history since defeating Inverness Caledonian Thistle on penalties after a 4–4 draw in the
1999 final. On the road to that final Alloa Athletic had knocked out Airdrieonians in the second round at the
Excelsior Stadium. ==Match==