Ayr United fight back in play-off final

May 21 2009 By Michael Pringle

Ayr United, Mark Roberts

Ayr United 2 Airdrie United 2

AYR United can back from the dead last night in this first leg play-off final. Airdrie led 2-0 at the interval after a lacklustre first half display from the Honest Men.

Former Kilmarnock striker Paul Di Giacomo was taunted by the home support. He silenced them after 29 minutes when he pounced to stab the ball home from close range after the Ayr defence had failed to deal with a corner kick from the right. Di Giacomo wheeled away with his finger to his lips to emphasise the point.

Dean Keenan had a long range effort parried by Stephen Robertson but it was Airdrie who continued to look the more dangerous and two minutes before half time they doubled their advantage. Ayr struggled to deal with high balls for the entirety of the first half and from a dead ball, Grindlay came and got caught in no man's land and Baird's header crept over the line despite the efforts of Scott Walker.

It was a different Ayr who came back out after the break and within three minutes of the restart the deficit had been reduced. Chris Aitken played the ball into Mark Roberts and he turned to fire home and suddenly Ayr believed. Somerset Park came alive as the home support sensed the tide was turning. Willie Easton came close with a rifled effort and after 67 minutes they were level. Again it was Mark Roberts who smashed the ball home after a free kick from Keenan had been controlled by Easton and played into his path.

The Honest Men had the opportunity to go ahead after 73 minutes when Donnelly fouled Martyn Campbell inside the box but the reslutant spot kick was saved by Robertson.

Ayr had to see out the end of the game with 10 men after Neil McGowan received a second yellow for a tug on Baird, he was carded in the first half for a crude challenge on Darren Smith.

On this second half showing Ayr United certainly have the ability to go to Airdrie and win the tie but they will need to make sure it doesn't take them 45 minutes to get going again.

The second leg of the play-off is on Sunday, 24 May with a 3.15pm kick off. It promises to be a day of high drama and frayed nerves.

For full match reports from Mike Wilson and the Voice of Reason's angle on the play-off final pick up a copy of your Ayrshire Post.