Ayr United 2Airdrie United 2 Ayr united have made a habit of recovering deficits at home this season, so perhaps it was no surprise that Brian Reid�s side hauled themselves back into this first division play-off final after going two goals down before half-time.

Ayr United 2
Airdrie United 2

Ayr united have made a habit of recovering deficits at home this season, so perhaps it was no surprise that Brian Reid's side hauled themselves back into this first division play-off final after going two goals down before half-time.

Mark Roberts led the cavalry, scoring twice against his former side to set up a thrilling second leg. The draw kept Ayr's unbeaten home league record intact, but things could have been even better had the hosts not missed a penalty and had a man sent off.

A cup-tie atmosphere was established from the opening exchanges and Paul Lovering's lunge on Dean Keenan emphasised the importance of the match. The Airdrie captain and former Ayr player received a merited yellow card along with some inevitable abuse from the home supporters.

When the free-kick was whipped into the box, Stephen McKenna's miscued pass-back was booted off the line by Stephen Robertson.

The Airdrie goalkeeper was soon in action again, pushing away a fierce 25-yard drive by Keenan after Kenny Connolly set up the opening.

At the other end Airdrie finally carved out their first chance in 28 minutes when Darren Smith and John Baird swapped passes before the ball fell for Kevin McDonald. The midfielder's shot was well struck but Stephen Grindlay dived low to his right to make the save. However, the goal was only temporarily delayed as Airdrie made the breakthrough with their next attack.

Baird's netbound header was deflected behind by Scott Walker, but Scott McLaughlin's resulting corner sparked chaos in the home penalty box. Bobby Donnelly's header glanced off the crossbar and Paul di Giacomo, the former Kilmarnock striker, thumped the ball into the net to silence the home fans.

Grindlay denied the visitors a second when he turned McLaughlin's volley away following a Smith corner.

Smith was then brought down by Neil McGowan's crude challenge as a preamble to Airdrie doubling their lead just before the interval. McLaughlin's free-kick found Baird nipping in ahead of Grindlay to glance the ball goalward and, although Walker appeared to get the final touch, the Airdrie striker was happy to claim the credit.

United threw themselves a lifeline soon after the restart when Roberts latched on to Chris Aitken's pass and produced a deadly finish. Roberts, released by Partick Thistle two months ago, demonstrated his instinct for a second time in 66 minutes with another clinical finish from Willie Easton's pass.

Ayr should have completed their recovery when Donnelly flattened Martyn Campbell in the box, but Robertson dived low to his right to beat away Aitken's spot-kick.

In a frantic finish, McGowan was red-carded for a second bookable offence.