Airdrie draw away from home in play-off final first leg

May 21 2009

Ayr United 2 Airdrie United 2

AIRDRIE'S first division future hangs in the balance after they threw away a two-goal lead in a pulsating match at Somerset Park last night.

The Diamonds secured a healthy half-time advantage in the first leg of the relegation play-off final thanks to Paul Di Giacomo's opener and an own goal from Ayr defender Scott Walker.

But the Honest Men - who had left-back Neil McGowan sent-off towards the end of the game - roared out of the traps in the second half and wiped out the deficit thanks to a double from ex-Airdrie striker Mark Roberts.

The result could have been much worse for Kenny Black's men had keeper Stephen Robertson not saved a penalty from Chris Aitken in the 74th minute.

Airdrie boss Black admitted he and his players were gutted with the final scoreline but says they must bounce back quickly ahead of Sunday's second leg at New Broomfield.

He said: "I was delighted with the first half performance but after the second half, we were fortunate to even get a draw out of the match.

"It was a Jekyll and Hyde performance. I said to the players at half-time that if we could weather the storm and maybe get a third goal, you could practically put the tie to bed.

"They got a massive lift with the early goal in the second half and from then on it went downhill for us. We defended poorly for both of their goals.

"We certainly need to pick ourselves up and the players are absolutely gutted. For many people this might be an acceptable result, but not for me. I came down here to win the game.

"For the neutral, it must have been a great game as it had everything. But we have had made this a more difficult game than it should have been."

Airdrie took the lead on the half-hour mark. Darren Smith's cross wasn't dealt with by the Ayr defence and that allowed former Kilmarnock ace Di Giacomo the chance to silence the home support with a close-range finish.

It was 2-0 in the 43rd minute. Scott McLaughlin's free-kick was punched by keeper Stephen Grindlay against Walker with the ball then rolling over the line.

But Ayr were full of energy and enthusiasm after the restart and pulled a goal back in the 48th minute. Roberts was given time and space 12 yards out to collect a pass, turn and shoot beyong Robertson.

Black must have been wondering what was going on in the 67th minute as the hosts equalised. A free-kick to the back post was squared by Willie Easton for Roberts who added the finishing touch.

Ayr were awarded a penalty seven minutes later when Bobby Donnelly was judged to have pushed an Ayr player in the box but Aitken's spot-kick was well blocked by Robertson.

With four minutes remaining, McGowan saw red for a second bookable offence which means he will miss Sunday's second leg, however, Ayr will have inspirational playmaker Ryan Stevenson available again after suspension.

*Check back later today for Kenny's exclusive video blog.