Stevensons' Rocket Sends Ayr Soaring to First Division

Last updated : 25 May 2009 By honestman

Matchday Programme
Ayr United continued their superb winning record at the Excelsior Stadium to clinch a place in the Scottish First Division next season ending their five year exile from that division.

Ryan Stevenson was the Ayr United hero as his goal sent United to the First Division on a day of drama at Airdrie.

Stevenson's had been missing from the first leg due to suspension but his first half winner was no more than Ayr deserved, outclassing and outfighting their well beaten hosts.

And the result was rarely in doubt as United were roared on by a 2000-strong travelling army who basked in an historic day for the club.

Brian Reid had sprung a shock with his starting line-up by recalling Ryan Borris after a lengthy absence, but it proved to be a masterstroke.

The winger was outstanding, turning in a man of the match performance, and posed a constant threat from the start.

He and Stevenson combined in an early break down the right which kept Airdrie full back Paul Lovering pinned back on his heels - a trend that would continue throughout the game.

And Ayr should have been ahead in the 10th minute when Kenny Connolly delivered an inch perfect cross for Bryan Prunty, but the former Airdrie striker couldn't connect just six yards from goal.

United appeared to have suffered a blow midway through the half when skipper Chris Aitken lay poleaxed and looked a major doubt to continue.

But he soldiered on and returned to the fray as Ayr took a grip on the game.

Airdrie were failing to trouble Stephen Grindlay in the United goal and relied on long range efforts which the keeper dealt with easily.

However, they could have snatched the lead on 28 minutes when Bobby Donnelly sent a free header wide from a Scott Mclaughlin corner after uncertainty in the Ayr defence.

But they'd pay for the miss as United stormed to the other end and, after an incisive break from Borris, the ball broke to Stevenson 20 yards from goal and he curled a beautiful effort into the bottom corner.

That sparked joy among the travelling support who sensed it could be Ayr's day, but within seconds they had their heads in their hands.

A golden chance to make it 2-0 came and went as Connolly found space in the box to turn and send a shot at goal which Airdrie keeper Stephen Robertson did brilliantly to parry wide.

Ayr were giving no quarter and Dean Keenan thundered into ex-Ayr man Paul Lovering on the stroke of half-time, earning himself a booking in the process, as the Honest Men gave everything for the cause.

The second half was a predictably nervy affair with neither side playing free flowing football, such was the high stakes of the occasion.

But despite Airdrie's desperate cause, they did little to force their way back in the game adopting a long-ball approach which rarely put the the Ayr backline under any real pressure and it was still Ayr who created the better chances. In fact the Ayr backline, so criticised for gifting Aordrie a two goal lead in the 1st leg completely dominated giving the Airdrie strikers no glimmer of hope.

Ayr should have wrapped up their promotion in the 67th minute when Mark Roberts curled in a beautiful cross which top scorer Prunty seemed sure to bury, but somehow he send his free header straight at Robertson.

Ayr fans could have been forgiven for cursing their luck at that stage but they had no reason to worry as Airdrie plodded on without finding anything close to a breakthrough.

And they were lucky to keep 10 men on the park near the death as Marc Smyth chopped down sub David Gormley in what looked a last man challenge, but only a yellow card was produced.

However, it mattered little as Ayr comfortably saw out time before wild scenes of celebration erupted with fans streaming on to the park to congrtatulate the players.

Ryan Stevenson admitted that it was the best day in his footballing career. "I took a gamble coming to my local club a few years back and it has really paid off".

About that goal he went on to say "My goal was a bit lucky. I mis-hit the shot so no one was more pleased than me to see the ball hit the back of the net".

The team then returned to the park after a short break to enjoy further celebrations and a rendition of songs before returning to ayr to continue the party.

Manager Brian Reid said that United may be the only club in Division 1 to be part time though there may still be a chance of full time football again at Ayr.

Beaten Airdrie manager said "There was no question we were beaten by the better team...............I don't know why we were so flat. Maybe nerves, maybe the fact that we had a long hard season, but so have Ayr"

It may have been that United had more experience during the season to winning from difficult positions and so had experience to draw from, Airdrie had only the opposite experience all season. The difference ultimately told.