Second Half Fightback Gives Ayr Hope

Ayr United staged another thrilling Somerset fightback to keep alive their hopes of First Division football next season.

Mark Roberts struck twice in the second half to earn Ayr a deserved draw after Airdrie had streaked 2-0 ahead.

And the Honest Men missed a glorious chance to win it when skipper Chris Aitken had a spot kick saved during dramatic scenes.

Ayr had given themselves a mountain to climb following a terrible first half performance.

Airdrie were two up and cruising thanks to goals from Paul di Giacomo and John Baird after poor Ayr defending at corners.

Ex-Killie striker di Giacomo handed the Diamonds a hard earned lead on the half hour after Ayr were caught cold at a corner.

Scott McLaughlin's delivery to the near post was flicked on Bobby Donnelly, and di Giacomo tapped home as the United defence chased shadows.

The goal had been coming after a steady period of pressure from the visitors, which saw Kevin McDonald draw a great save from Stephen Grindlay, while Baird had a header cleared off the line by Scott Walker.

But Ayr weren't so lucky when they fell further behind just before the break.

McLaughlin was the provider with another set piece which Ayr failed to deal with, and Baird's header was helped over the line by Walker's attempt to clear.

Half time couldn't come quick enough for United, who clearly got a trademark rocket from boss Brian Reid in the dressing room.

They emerged a different side after the interval and pulled a goal back within three minutes of the restart.

Aitken fed Roberts with a clever pass on the edge of the box and the striker did brilliantly to hold off Marc Smyth and turn to fire home.

That brought Somerset to life and the big home support sensed another famous comeback in the offing.

It was wave upon wave of attack as the baffled Diamonds were thrown on to the backfoot with plenty of time left on the clock.

The impressive Willie Easton skelped a shot just wide but would play a key part in Ayr's equaliser midway through the half.

Dean Keenan's raking free kick found Easton in the box and his first touch killed the ball stone dead before he crossed for Roberts to slam home at the back post.

Ayr were rampant and there looked only one winner with more than 20 minutes still to go.

And United had the perfect chance to take an advantage with them to Airdrie on Sunday when Martyn Campbell was fouled by opposite number Donnelly in the box, with a penalty awarded.

But Aitken, who has a tremendous record from the spot, saw his kick saved by Stephen Robertson as Airdrie clung on.

Both sides looked for a winner but began to tire after a huge effort, and Ayr lost Neil McGeown four minutes from time when he received his marching orders for a second booking after pulling back the lively Baird.

Ayr's two goal hero, Mark Roberts was named man of the match.

The clubs now meet at Airdrie's Excelsior Stadium on Sunday for the second leg in a winner takes all match.

Ayr United manager Brian Reid said "I'm delighted to be back in the tie. It's not the first time this season that we've come back from goals down. We showed great character to come back.

"I felt we should've won at the end. Chris Aitken never usually misses penalties and unfortunately he picked a night to miss one that he normally tucks away.

"Chris has been very good from the penalty spot and, to be fair to the goalkeeper, it was a great save.

"I'm disappointed with the goals we lost. That's not acceptable at this level and we were punished for it.

"I thought the supporters were magnificent. They got behind us.

"We've played well away from home this season and we'll certainly go to Airdrie and have a go."

Airdrie United manager Kenny Black said "It's incredible watching it because I thought we had to work really hard for our two goals. I was happy at half-time and I said to the players that we could actually go and put the tie to bed if we had continued to do what we were doing.

"I thought we were actually lucky to even draw the game and that's relying on a goalkeeper saving a penalty.

"The second half performance was inept at times and it just looked as if some of them thought the game was already finished but that wasn't the case.

"They're a good side Ayr. They were shooting down in front of their own fans in the second half and they had nothing to lose and had a really good period.

"We were naïve at times, especially with the second Ayr goal.

"I thought the referee had a decent game but there were two or three decisions for free-kicks were strange."