Late Andy Rodgers goal is Ayr United’s Alba Cup winner against Airdrie

Jul 30 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

ANDY RODGERS spared Ayr's blushes with a late winner after Airdrie's young guns threatened to spring an Alba Cup surprise.

His headed winner with only three minutes to go was just enough after Alan Trouten had cancelled out Gary Muir's penalty opener.

But Rodgers admitted that Ayr will have to quickly improve as the league kick-off looms ever closer.

The former East Stirling hit man said: “We were shocking after the break as Airdrie made it difficult for us.

“But once we equalised I knew we would go on and win the tie.”

Ayr had been heavily backed to sweep past the new look Diamonds. But in a tie switched to Alloa's plastic pitch, they struggled to put down the enthusiasm of new boss Jimmy Boyle's kids who were bolstered by some loan players.

United also gave youth a fling with teenager Jonathan Tiffoney filling in well at right-back while Ross Robertson, Aaron Connolly and Roddy Paterson all came off the bench to make an impression.

Trouten was delighted to make his mark against his former team.

He revealed: “It was good to score against my old club. I was taking some stick during the game and didn’t realise they disliked me so much.”

Rodgers always looked Ayr's best bet but he was denied early on by 19-year-old on loan Hearts keeper Mark Ridgers. Then he sent a glancing header just over.

Ayr were shocked six minutes into the second-half when Airdrie snatched a surprise lead. Freed Jambos youngster Ryan Wallace was pulled down by Willie Easton for a penalty which debutant Gary Muir stuck away.

Minutes earlier, Connolly had replaced Donnelly as Ayr tried to inject some much needed pace. Then came the last throw of the dice with Robertson and Paterson taking the place of Alistair Woodburn and new skipper Mark Roberts.

The action became frantic as Ayr surged forward. And in 83 minutes, a huge sigh of relief went through the travelling fans when Trouten forced home an Easton cross with Paul Lovering helping the ball into his own net.

Only a fine save from David Crawford prevented Airdrie from regaining the lead on the break before Ayr clinched victory at the death. The pacy Connolly broke down the left and whipped over a cross which Rodgers nodded home to get United out of jail.

AIRDRIE - Ridgers; Bain, Grant, Gibson, Lovering; Stallard, Devlin, Muir, Wallace; Burns (sub McCabe 72), Watt (sub Morgan 84). Unused subs: Cane, Tobin. Booked: Grant, Lovering, Devlin, Burns.

AYR - Crawford; Tiffoney, Donnelly (sub A. Connolly 46), Campbell, Smith; Trouten, Woodburn (sub Robertson 75), McLaughlin, Easton; Rodgers, Roberts (sub Paterson 75). Unused subs: Fisher, Jones. Booked: Tiffoney, Rodgers.

Referee - Brian Colvin; Crowd - 624.