Nicky Clescenco's 89th-minute winner settled a pulsating Ayrshire derby to book Kilmarnock a Premier Sports Cup quarter-final berth. Neil McCann's team twice hauled themselves level after the Championship side threatened a shock. The Moldovan international winger capitalised on Harry Stone spilling a cross to complete the comeback.
Thrilling comeback
On-loan Dundee United striker Owen Stirton grabbed his third goal of the tournament to give Ayr the lead. Joe Hugill equalised just before the break. But the visitors stunned the Premiership side again by taking a 47th minute lead through a Ross Taylor strike. Michael Schjønning-Larsen nailed a second equaliser on 79 minutes. Killie kept piling the pressure on a tiring team and got their late reward from the mistake.
Early exchanges
Gary Naysmith's visitors had snatched the lead inside five minutes. Killie coughed up possession deep inside their own half and Scott McCann whipped in a beauty of a near-post ball. Stirton, 19, darted in front of Robbie Deas to force the ball at goal. Max Stryjek's touch was too late, into the roof of the net.
Ayr went close through McMann, Reece Lyon and Taylor in the first half. Killie's best early effort fell to Hugill but he fluffed his attempt six yards out after a Tom Lowery cutback. However, Hugill showed all the sharpness of his superb second half of last season to get Killie level. The ex-Man United prospect exchanged passes with strike partner Tyreece John-Jules. Hugill then produced a terrific swivel and low shot from the edge of the box.
Second-half drama
Killie seized momentum. But that shift barely lasted two minutes of the second period. Killie's bid to bring the ball out from defence broke down at Aaron Tshibola. Taylor, a star of Naysmith's Stenhousemuir side, took a couple of touches before steering a stunning finish into the bottom corner.
Stone produced three fine saves to keep Ayr ahead, denying Deas, Tom Lowery and Mark O'Hara. Substitute O'Hara flashed a diving header wide on 71 minutes and Killie kept applying pressure. The one-man wave of attack Ayr couldn't hold back came from Schjønning-Larsen. A barnstorming run from inside his own half culminated in the Estonian international lashing a right-foot shot home from the edge of the box.
Then, in a cruel twist, the excellent Stone saw the ball squirm loose after he grabbed a cross in a collision with Kevin Holt. Clescenco pounced and showed patience before clipping home the winner.
Key boost for Killie
This was a massive, morale-boosting victory for Kilmarnock after a tough couple of weeks of Premiership action. Yet there is plenty for Neil McCann to deal with before Kilmarnock host Dundee United at the end of the month. Killie didn't concede a goal in four Premier Sports Cup group games with Robbie Deas in the side. Without suspended Deas at the heart of defence, nine goals were leaked in the opening two Premiership games against St Johnstone and Celtic.
Deas replaced Johnly Yfeko in McCann's only change but within five minutes that supposed fix was faulty. Owen Stirton stole a march on Deas with a great near-post run to connect with a cracking Scott McMann cross. Max Stryjek looked slow to react and Killie's back line bother continued. Ross Taylor and Stirton found themselves in so much space. Gary Naysmith said he felt Ayr could 'get at' their top-flight hosts - and he was right. They did most of it early on, however, on the counter attack and had three other close attempts inside 30 minutes.
Bravery on the ball and playing out from the back was rewarded last season in their relegation escape. It hasn't clicked yet this term and this back line must start concentrating on getting their defensive basics right at the top level - or else.
Ayr to shock Championship
Ayr United went off 16/1 chances for the Championship two weeks ago. Livingston, perennial bridesmaids Partick and cup specialists Dunfermline were the top three in the betting. And even Inverness and Raith were a shorter price than Gary Naysmith's men. A win over Arbroath and draw at Pars is a tidy start that surely saw some more folk take notice. And they followed up their fine win at Falkirk in the group stage by having a right good go at claiming another Premiership scalp. They could emerge a surprise team to launch a title challenge. There's a nice mix of cast-iron Championship performers, young potential deserving of a step up along with their manager from League One and class who've been with big clubs.
King of Somerset Park
Leon King has endured some tough times in the glare of the spotlight of his young career. As a Rangers teenage defender, too much was expected too early when thrown into tough situations. He also dealt with untimely injuries for one so young. King could turn out to be a cornerstone of an Ayr promotion bid at the age of 22. He produced a host of terrific challenges and blocks to repel Killie's raids. Replaced by Nick McAllister on 73 minutes as Naysmith went for fresh legs to hold out. King was on the bench as his men just failed to hold out and conceded twice in the final 11 minutes.
Down like a Stone
The late drama was incredibly cruel on Harry Stone as the Ayr keeper had been excellent all night, continuing his fine early-season form. Like he had done multiple times, Stone leapt to grab a cross. But this time he did so while colliding with his own defender, Kevin Holt, and the ball squirmed out after he hit the turf. Nicky Clescenco capitalised but Stone can bounce back. Scott Brown used FIVE goalkeepers in 2024/25 including Stone then three last season. That lack of continuity is surely a harmful dynamic for the confidence of - and in - a keeper. The Hearts man is looking better equipped for a big season on this loan stint. He made a crucial save shortly after Ayr regained the lead at 2-1, getting down smartly at the back post to deny Robbie Deas. Then he bettered that on 69 minutes to flick away a Tom Lowery dig for a corner. He also denied Mark O'Hara before disaster struck on 89 minutes.
More of the same?
Can we get some more, please? Ayrshire fans voted the fixture a huge hit with a brilliant turnout. If there was a neutral hidden in the bumper 11,365 crowd then they would've enjoyed an enthralling contest stress-free. The vast majority were fans of both sides who went through the emotional mill in a wild match. On this evidence, it would be great to see this derby three or four times a season.
