Chris Smith goal takes Ayr United into League Cup semi finals

Oct 28 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

HERO Chris Smith headed Ayrinto the League Cup semi finals and roared: Bring on Killie.

The courageous defender, who swallowed his tongue only 10 days earlier, was United's man of the hour as they claimed a third SPL scalp of the season.

Tuesday night's 1-0 win over St Mirren follows their victories over Inverness and Hearts and will earn them a £100,000 jackpot on the weekend of January 28/29.

Giant killers Ayr now go into the hat next week along with Killie, Falkirk and the winner of Hibs and Celtic who play on Wednesday night.

Now fans are dreaming of emulating the run to the 2002 CIS Cup final when they lost to Rangers.

Smith, who was knocked unconscious against Livingston, was stripped and ready to play against Dundee on Saturday when he was withdrawn at the last minute on doctor's orders.

But the former Rangers youngster showed he is made of steel as he used his HEAD to book Ayr a cup pay day.

He joked: "I didn't know it was me who scored. I am sure the fans would rather get Killie in the semi and put one over their rivals.

"I don't score many goals apart from OGs so it's definitely the most important of my career.

"There is no better feeling than scoring the winning goal that takes your team to Hampden.

"I've only played there once before and that was in a youth cup final for Rangers when they beat Celtic 5-0 so I'm hoping that's an omen."

However, the semi will ONLY be guaranteed for Hampden if it involves Celtic. Otherwise, Fir Park looks favourite.

Ayr are guaranteed £45,000 prizemoney plus a quarter of a live TV fee of £144,000, as one semi will be screened.

The two semi-final gates, and radio fees, will be pooled.

Smith glanced home a header from an Eddie Malone free-kick in 81 minutes to send the 1254 strong army of Ayr fans into raptures.

And earlier, he came to the rescue by booting clear when keeper Kevin Cuthbert dropped the ball in the box.

Smith revealed: “Saints were using zonal marking so I had a free run to goal. In the first-half, we were under the cosh but after the interval we were maybe in control of the game.”

Delighted boss Brian Reid said: "It had to be big Junior who got the goal. I'm delighted for the big man – it was a great delivery and a great header.

"It's a great night but I'm pulling my hair out for this shows what we are capable of.

"If we could play like this every week we would be a lot higher up the league. Hopefully this win will give us confidence and we can build on it.

"We set out our shape and it worked a treat. We came more into it, caused them problems and had the best of the second-half. We worked our socks off and deserved it."

Ayr were in the wars from the kick-off and inside the first three minutes Ross Robertson was booked and Jonathan Tiffoney was given a finger wagging by ref Stevie O'Reilly.

United had a great chance in nine minutes when Alan Trouten bore through the middle and found lone striker Gareth Wardlaw whose low cross was cut out for a corner.

John Robertson had to be stitched by the St Mirren doctor at half-time after getting a cut above his eye but played a commanding role as Ayr soaked up the Buddies pressure.

The Paisley men ran out of ideas in the second-half and it was Ayr who grew in confidence and forced a series of corners.

The pay-off came when Malone's free-kick carved open a static defence and Smith headed home a killer winner.

That left nine minutes and three minutes of stoppage time as desperate Saints tried to rescue the tie.

Sub Nigel Hasselbaink twice went close while sub Graham Carey nodded off the bar as the seconds ticked down.

Shattered Saints boss Danny Lennon claimed: "For all our dominance and possessions, it's very difficult to break down a parked bus and 11 traffic wardens.

"The stats will show they scored with their one and only shot on target. Brian Reid did well with the tools he has but what did they bring to the game?"

ST MIRREN: Samson; Van Zanten, Tesselaar, McAusland, Mair, Goodwin (McShane 85), McLean, Thomson (Hasselbaink 57), Thompson, McGowan, Teale (Carey 69). Unused subs: Smith, Haddad.

AYR: Cuthbert; Tiffoney, Malone, J. Robertson, Smith, R. Robertson, Troutenn, Geggan, Moffat, Wardlaw, McGowan. Unused subs: Roberts, Burke, Connolly, Armstrong, McWilliams.

Referee - Stevie O'Reilly; Crowd - 4570.