Rangers 4
Ayr United 2
Scorers: Rangers - Burke (27, 78), Adam (48, 57); Ayr United - Chaplain (43), Black (67)
John Brown's under-18 Rangers side produced an excellent performance last night to beat Ayr United and lift the SFA Youth Cup.
A brace from both Charlie Adam and Chris Burke secured the victory for Rangers, with Scott Chaplain and Aaron Black netting for Ayr.
The match started brightly and both sides had opportunities to take the lead, with Ayr United hitting a post in the seventh minute.
This seemed to be the injection of adrenalin Rangers needed and they broke the deadlock in the 27th minute when Burke beat four Ayr players before slamming the ball into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
United were not down, how-ever, and managed to level matters just before half-time, albeit with a bit of luck.
As the ball floated into the penalty area, there was some confusion in the Rangers defence and Chaplain scrambled it home via his head.
Adam put Rangers back in front once more in 48 minutes, unleashing a 30-yard strike, and they went 3-1 ahead in the 57th minute when the same player scored again, this time from close range.
United did not lie down and managed to pull a goal back soon after when Black lobbed keeper Graeme Smith from 25 yards.
Burke, however, once again underlined what an exceptional talent he is when he latched on to the end of a Tom Brighton cross to put the game beyond doubt.
Brown said: ''I thought Ayr, to their credit, did very well. However, I'm really pleased because we have worked hard through the season to achieve something.''
Rangers (4-4-2) Smith; Hutton, McLeod, Coyle, S Smith; Burke, Walker, Dowie, Adam; Duffy (Morrison 90), Brighton
Ayr United (4-4-2) Hamilton; Pottor, Molloy Ferry, Lyle; McColl, Chaplain, Black, Duncan (Spence 54); McVeigh, Kean
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