One of my best says Ayr United hitman

Jan 16 2009 by Mike Wilson

ALEX WILLIAMS insists his priceless equaliser which was sealed with a kiss was one of the best of his career.

And boss Brian Reid reckoned anything less than a second bite at the cherry would have been a travesty after United battled for their lives.

Williams, thrown on for the last five minutes of a frantic tie, appeared to have blown Ayr's hopes when he blazed a chance high over.

But with the clock ticking down, he got one final scent when a Chris Aitken corner was punched out to his feet. And this time, wee Eck slammed in a low shot with the outside of his boot between jittery keeper Damian Rascle and his post.

Williams lifted off his shirt and danced away to celebrate the goal that brought a smile to the face of the Ayr bank manager. And not even a booking could wipe the smirk off his face after he had a kiss and cuddle with referee Stevie Conroy.

Williams revealed: "The ref stopped me from running off the park so I gave him a cuddle. You could see by the way I celebrated just how much it meant to me. It was one of the best feelings of my career. I've beaten Celtic with Clyde and won the league with Morton but this is right up with these.

"Watching the fans and coming to the game in the car got me buzzing. We've got a never say die attitude and that showed right through the team.

"I was only on the park a few minutes and swear I can't remember anything about the goal. The ball could have gone anywhere when I hit it.

“I had been sitting on the bench, all cool, saying I was just going to stand there if I went on and scored,

“But as soon as it happened, I headed for the crowd and off the park. Then I ripped off my shirt which I knew was almost an instant yellow.

“If I had done both, I was in serious trouble. So I ended up throwing myself at the ref and that saved me."

An emotionally drained Reid admitted he feared the worst when Williams failed to put away his first chance. He said: "I thought it had passed us by but great credit to wee Eck who did what he does best. If we had lost, it would have been a travesty.

"The spirit was phenomenal and we showed we can create chances against a good team. If we can take that into the league we won't be far away.

"It was the biggest game of my managerial career but I had never been involved in an Ayrshire derby before. I'm delighted we've another chance to go to Rugby Park in a replay."

Driving rain and blustery winds cranked up the pressure right from the opening whistle. And the near full house crowd of 9280 made sure the atmosphere was one to savour.

Ayr went for an early kill and Bryan Prunty nodded wide from an Aitken cross. Then Willie Easton fired into the side netting after Neil McGowan played him in.

But it was Killie who drew first blood in nine minutes. David Fernandez and Craig Bryson worked a short corner and the ball was played in to Manuel Pascali who was clearly offside as he knocked it home.

Stunned Ayr took only five minutes to reply. Ryan Stevenson showed superb skills wide left to fire in a cross, David Gormley flicked on and Dean Keenan took off to score with a spectacular diving header.

Killie were knocked off their stride and they were in disarray three minutes later when Scott Walker beat Frazier Wright to meet an Aitken free-kick. But the big defender put his header past the post from only four yards out.

Grant Murray hit the outside of the post with a cross as Killie hit back before the break but the teams headed up the tunnel all square.

Ayr began the second period with a bang and a ferocious shot from Gormley was punched away by Rascle. Then Gormley headed wide from a Keenan cross when he should have hit the target.

The Honest Men paid a dear price in 53 minutes when Killie snatched the lead for the second time. Willie Gibson set up the chance and Bryson slammed the ball past Stephen Grindlay who was without a prayer as the ball skidded in off Walker's boot.

Ayr were now up against it but Stevenson was playing like a man possessed and powerful leading up work gave Prunty a sniff but the 14 goal striker couldn't finish.

Grindlay had a great double save from Garry Hay and Wright but kept his best for 70 minutes with a stunning stop from an Allan Russell penalty. The award came after Martyn Campbell barged Hay but Russell's spot-kick was magnificently turned aside by Grindlay who dived low to his right to stun the blue and white fans who were massed in the railway end behind him.

That gave Ayr fresh heart and roared on by a soaked support, they pressed forward in a determined bid to keep the cup dream alive. An Aitken free-kick was punched away by Rascale as the heat soared.

With five minutes to go, Williams came on for Allan Dempsie as Ayr switched to 3-4-3. And the bold ploy paid off with seconds left when Williams pulled the trigger to leave the SPL side shattered.

Now Rugby Park beckons with Ayr firmly believing they can deliver. Don't bet against them.