Ayr United 1
Hibernian 2
Scottish League Cup (Third Round)

Match Report

UNITED’S unbeaten run finally came to an end against classy Hibs as a first half double from Derek Riordan secured them a place in the last eight.

But a late header from Gareth Wardlaw ensured a frantic finish to the game after Ayr had battled back during a vastly improved second half performance.

Robert Connor was forced into sweeping changes for the game with Barry McLaughlin, Martyn Campbell, Jerome Vareille and Mark Casey all missing.

And Ayr’s patched up side were chasing shadows from the first whistle as Hibs’ pace and movement caused the makeshift defence all sorts of problems.

Dangerman Ivan Sproule used his lightning speed to devastating effect as he constantly raided behind the United backline and was unlucky not to be on the scoresheet within two minutes but saw his shot saved by Mark McGeown.

The early pressure continued and Dougie Ramsay was required to block on the line from Sam Morrow as the visitors served notice of their threat.

Morrow then sent Sproule clear as he galloped beyond Andy Essler and rounded McGeown before screwing his shot wide when he should have scored.

The Northern Ireland internationalist then watched as McGeown produced a stunning 16th minute save to deny him after his header from a Riordan cross was bound for the top corner.

Ayr’s first threat on goal took 19 minutes to arrive when a clearance from McGeown was flicked on by Wardlaw and Chris Strain stole in behind the Hibs defence but sent his lobbed effort wide of goal.

It wasn’t long before Ayr were on the backfoot again as Sproule outpaced Essler before cutting back for Riordan to shoot straight at McGeown.

Stephen Fletcher was then denied twice by McGeown in the space of four minutes, seeing two low drives well saved from the edge of the box.

But the breakthrough finally came eight minutes before half time when Ramsay challenged Fletcher and the ball spun free to Riordan who took his time to slam home from 16 yards.

Three minutes later the lead was doubled when Sproule once again beat Essler for pace and cut back for Riordan to find the bottom corner of the net with a clinical finish.

Ayr had the final say in first half injury time when Raymond Logan forced his way through on the byline but his cross was inches behind Wardlaw who was waiting to pounce three yards from goal.

A change was needed at the break and Connor obliged by replacing Strain with Chris Robertson and reverting from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2.

Ayr were immediately a transformed side playing with the new formation and began to cause Hibs some problems of their own.

And they should have been back in the game on the hour mark when Paul Hyslop crossed for Robertson who was in acres of space at the backpost but he blasted over from just four yards.

Ayr knew it was a glorious chance missed but they continued to fight and four minutes later a Hyslop corner was met by Paul Weaver who fluffed his shot to Robertson on the edge of the box and he turned to fire just wide.

Craig Conway then sparked panic in the Hibs defence as he hit the byline before flashing the ball across goal but there were no takers.

But the Hibees were a constant threat on the break and Dean Shiels drew a great save out of McGeown before Riordan wasted two golden chances to complete his hat-trick.

The game then took a twist with four minutes left as Logan crossed for Wardlaw to head home and set up a grandstand finish.

Ayr threw on Stuart Boyd and John Maisano from the bench but it was too little too late as Hibs saw out time to progress to the quarter finals.

Match report written by Ayr United FC Official Website